Texas Governor Abbott proposes ban on H-1B visa teachers

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed a legislative initiative to ban the employment of workers holding H-1B visas in Texas public K-12 schools. Abbott stated that the goal is to ensure “Texans are teaching Texans” and to prevent “foreign influence” in the education of state students.

If passed by the state legislature, the measure would prohibit schools from hiring or retaining H-1B employees and would also restrict K-12 schools from accepting funding, materials, or entering into financial partnerships with foreign governments or entities owned by them.

Critics and school districts warn the plan could exacerbate teacher shortages, particularly in specialized areas. Dallas ISD, which employs 171 H-1B workers—the highest number of any Texas public school district or university—is notably affected. Given that approximately 71% of Dallas ISD students are Hispanic, the impact of such a ban would be concentrated in districts with high Latino populations that rely on these visas to fill critical vacancies, including bilingual education roles.