DeSantis Orders Florida Universities to 'Pull the Plug' on H-1B Visas in Push for American Workers First

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called on the Florida Board of Governors to end what he calls H-1B Visa abuse in higher education. H-1B Visas allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations when they can’t find acceptable domestic applicants. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican speaking in Las Vegas on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo: Wade Vandervort/AFP via Getty Images)

The H-1B program has drawn increased criticism in recent years. The Trump administration has long argued that employers abuse the program to avoid hiring American workers and has imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B recipients and sponsoring companies.

In an October 29 speech, DeSantis told universities to “pull the plug” on H-1B visa 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. He urged Florida’s Board of Governors to go further than President Trump in restricting these hires.

A news release from the governor's office echoed the sentiment: “Florida is requiring institutions to put American graduates first and ensure taxpayer-funded schools serve the American workforce, not to be used to import cheap foreign labor.”

“H-1B visas are allegedly intended for a specialty occupation,” the release continued, “but many universities and institutions have hired foreign workers for jobs that could easily be filled by qualified Americans.”

The directive stems from a review by Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is conducting a deep dive into university spending and operations. Recommendations will be made to the Board of Governors and State Board of Education to eliminate waste.

The order applies to all 12 universities in the Florida State University System, including Florida International University, Florida State University, the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida.

As of September 2025, Florida’s public universities employed approximately 395 people on H-1B visas, according to the latest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. While the program is capped at 85,000 new visas annually, colleges, universities, and certain other organizations are exempt from that cap. Universities use the program to hire faculty, doctors, and researchers, arguing it is essential to meet needs in health care, engineering, and other specialized fields.

The H-1B program was not the only target of the DOGE audit. Auditors also identified more than $10.6 million in grants within the Florida College System for possible repurposing or cancellation, including $454,000 for a program aimed at “underrepresented populations” in drone work and avionics and $750,000 for a grant exclusively available to minorities pursuing STEM degrees.