‘Why do we need to bring…’: Florida Governor makes BIG announcement, says universities will no longer hire people on H-1B work visas
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that state universities can no longer hire people on H-1B work visas. He said these universities must now give jobs only to American citizens and Florida residents. DeSantis explained that the rule is meant to stop the misuse of H-1B visas and make sure local graduates get fair chances for jobs that are paid for with taxpayer money. “Many universities are hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas even when qualified Americans are available,” DeSantis said. “We will not allow that to continue in Florida.”
He added that state audits found several colleges had given jobs to people from China and other countries even as professors and guest speakers. “Why do we need to bring someone from China to talk about public policy?” he asked. “We have many capable people right here in Florida. If we can’t find them, we really need to think about what’s happening.”
DeSantis declared. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. That’s why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice.”
The Florida Governor’s Office said that the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will work with federal officials and the State University System to make sure all universities follow the new rule. The plan also involves cancelling or changing several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants, which the state says were taking money away from main educational needs.
According to the statement, universities don’t have to follow the federal limit on H-1B visas, meaning they can hire foreign workers anytime. The Governor’s Office said H-1B visas are meant for special skill jobs, but many universities have used them to hire foreigners for roles that qualified Americans could do instead.
DeSantis mentioned examples like computer application coordinators, assistant professors, and even an assistant swim coach from Spain.
“With so many Americans losing jobs at companies like Amazon and UPS, it’s only right that people here in Florida get the first chance at jobs,” he said.
He added that all public universities in the state must now focus on hiring Americans, saying taxpayer-funded schools should “support the American workforce, not bring in cheap foreign labor.”
It is uncertain whether a US state governor has the legal authority to stop the use of H-1B visas in any organisation. Federal law controls the visa system, and universities are already exempt from federal H-1B limits, allowing them to hire foreign employees throughout the year.
The H-1B visa is most commonly used in the tech industry, especially for skilled workers from India. Major technology companies are among the largest users of the program, and nearly 75 per cent of approved H-1B visas go to Indian professionals. However, the program also covers other important jobs such as teachers, doctors, and researchers, not just those in the tech field.
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