Gov. Greg Abbott once again stepped up his tightening control of foreign workers in Texas by calling for an investigation into worker visas. Abbott directed all Texas state agencies and universities Tuesday, Jan. 27, to freeze new H-1B visa petitions and launch a review of the current H-1B visa program use.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered public universities and state agencies to freeze new H-1B visa applications until May 2027.

The order aims to prioritize Texas workers for taxpayer-funded jobs and requires institutions to submit detailed reports on current foreign workers by March 2026.