TALLAHASSEE — A proposal backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to pause the hiring of international employees on H‑1B visas across Florida’s public universities moved closer to final approval Thursday.
The state university system’s Board of Governors advanced a rule change that would prohibit university boards of trustees from hiring new H‑1B visa employees through January 5, 2027. The measure is part of a broader update to trustee powers and responsibilities.
Board of Governors Chairman Alan Levine said the moratorium would not affect other visa programs and is intended to give officials time to study how the H‑1B program is used and whether salaries for H‑1B employees align with market rates.
But critics warned the move could damage Florida’s academic competitiveness and global reputation. Student representative Carson Dale argued the pause would drive top international talent elsewhere, noting that innovators like Elon Musk came to the U.S. as international students.
Kimberly Dunn, a Board of Governors member and Florida Atlantic University faculty leader, said many specialized roles depend on H‑1B recruits. “In many cases, the H‑1B visa is the only viable pathway for bringing this level of expertise to our state,” she said.
The proposal follows repeated criticisms from DeSantis, who has questioned why universities hire international faculty and has described some H‑1B use as “cheap labor.” The move also comes as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently ordered a similar halt at Texas institutions.
Created in 1990, H‑1B visas allow U.S. employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers for up to six years. The Board of Governors is expected to consider final approval of the moratorium at a future meeting.