Florida Universities to Stop Hiring Foreign H-1B Workers Under DeSantis Plan: 'We Can Do It With Florida Residents or Americans'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed the state's public universities to halt the hiring of foreign workers on H-1B visas, arguing that positions should be filled by U.S. citizens and, ideally, Florida residents.

Speaking at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Wednesday, DeSantis cited examples of university employees from China, Canada, and Spain, including public policy professor, graphic designer and assistant swim coach. "Are you kidding me? We can't produce an assistant swim coach in this country?" He added, "We can do it with Florida residents or Americans."

DeSantis said taxpayer funding should not support "import[ing] cheap foreign labor" and framed the order as protecting students and U.S. workers. "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 said.

DeSantis said he instructed the Florida Board of Governors to "pull the plug" on the practice, though he did not specify whether the change would apply to new hires alone or to current visa holders, as The New York Times points out.

H-1B visas are granted to educated foreign workers in specialty occupations; about 400 H-1B applications were approved this year across Florida's 12 public universities, including 156 at the University of Florida, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security data.

A statement provided by the governor's office described the move as part of a broader strategy to prioritize domestic hiring for taxpayer-funded positions, arguing that Florida institutions "ought to evaluate their academic programs" if they cannot produce qualified candidates locally. The governor also said his directive follows state reviews that found universities hiring foreign nationals for broad roles, including public policy instruction and campus services.

Last month, the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions. Several institutions have warned in court filings that federal policy is already forcing them to suspend visa sponsorships.