Texas Governor proposes H-1B visa ban for public school teachers

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed a ban on public schools hiring international teachers on H-1B visas, citing a desire to limit “foreign influence” in education. The proposal follows previous restrictions Abbott implemented regarding state agencies and universities.

Texas currently employs more H-1B visa holders in education than any other state. According to National Education Association data, this includes 271 educators in the state, with the Dallas Independent School District accounting for 171 of those employees.

School officials argue that international educators are essential for filling critical staffing shortages in high-demand subjects such as mathematics, foreign languages, and STEM fields. Dallas ISD noted that these hires fill positions designated as critical shortages by the Texas Education Agency and that all such teachers meet state certification requirements. Critics of the proposal suggest that eliminating these roles would require a significant expansion of the domestic teaching talent pipeline.