Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered state universities to stop hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas, directing institutions to prioritise American citizens for all academic and administrative positions. The announcement is part of a broader state effort to curb what he called “H-1B abuse” in higher education.
Announcing the decision on Wednesday, DeSantis said, “Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job.” He added, “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.”
Crackdown on foreign hiring and DEI grants
The Governor instructed the Florida Board of Governors to enforce the order and ensure compliance across state universities. He said that Florida’s higher education system produces thousands of qualified graduates each year who should be given priority for university employment.
“If any universities are truly struggling to find US citizens to fill their job openings, they ought to evaluate their academic programmes to determine why they cannot produce graduates who can be hired for these positions,” DeSantis said.
The Governor’s Office said that institutions are required to “put American graduates first” and ensure that taxpayer-funded universities support the domestic workforce. The statement alleged that many universities have used H-1B visas to hire foreign workers for roles that could be filled by Americans, noting that universities are exempt from federal caps on H-1B visas, allowing year-round recruitment of overseas talent.
Focus on workforce and cost concerns
DeSantis cited examples of positions in Florida universities filled by foreign H-1B workers, including computer application coordinators, assistant professors, and public policy professors from China, as well as an assistant swim coach from Spain. “Why do we need to bring someone from China to talk about public policy… Especially when you see in the news all these people being laid off by Amazon, UPS, all these companies, we need to make sure our citizens here in Florida are first in line for job opportunities,” he said.
Alongside the hiring directive, the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced a partnership with its federal counterpart, the State University System, and institutional partners to cancel or repurpose millions of dollars in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)-related grants. The Governor’s Office said the state has repurposed or cancelled DEI grants worth more than USD 33 million.
The decision forms part of a continuing policy push by DeSantis to align Florida’s higher education system with his administration’s emphasis on domestic hiring and restrictions on DEI initiatives.
Announcing the decision on Wednesday, DeSantis said, “Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job.” He added, “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.”
Crackdown on foreign hiring and DEI grants
The Governor instructed the Florida Board of Governors to enforce the order and ensure compliance across state universities. He said that Florida’s higher education system produces thousands of qualified graduates each year who should be given priority for university employment.
“If any universities are truly struggling to find US citizens to fill their job openings, they ought to evaluate their academic programmes to determine why they cannot produce graduates who can be hired for these positions,” DeSantis said.
The Governor’s Office said that institutions are required to “put American graduates first” and ensure that taxpayer-funded universities support the domestic workforce. The statement alleged that many universities have used H-1B visas to hire foreign workers for roles that could be filled by Americans, noting that universities are exempt from federal caps on H-1B visas, allowing year-round recruitment of overseas talent.
Focus on workforce and cost concerns
DeSantis cited examples of positions in Florida universities filled by foreign H-1B workers, including computer application coordinators, assistant professors, and public policy professors from China, as well as an assistant swim coach from Spain. “Why do we need to bring someone from China to talk about public policy… Especially when you see in the news all these people being laid off by Amazon, UPS, all these companies, we need to make sure our citizens here in Florida are first in line for job opportunities,” he said.
Alongside the hiring directive, the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced a partnership with its federal counterpart, the State University System, and institutional partners to cancel or repurpose millions of dollars in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)-related grants. The Governor’s Office said the state has repurposed or cancelled DEI grants worth more than USD 33 million.
The decision forms part of a continuing policy push by DeSantis to align Florida’s higher education system with his administration’s emphasis on domestic hiring and restrictions on DEI initiatives.
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