DeSantis Orders Florida Universities to End H-1B Hiring, Insists Jobs Must Go to American Graduates

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered all public universities in the state to stop hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas, directing them instead to employ qualified American citizens and residents for academic and administrative positions. The move, announced on Wednesday, is part of a sweeping crackdown on what the governor called “H-1B visa abuse” in higher education institutions.

Speaking at a press event, DeSantis said that Florida’s universities should serve as engines of opportunity for American graduates rather than rely on imported talent. “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. We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions,” he said. The governor noted that Florida leads the nation in higher education and produces thousands of capable graduates each year who deserve first consideration for university jobs.

DeSantis further challenged institutions that claim difficulty in recruiting American candidates to reflect on their academic programs and workforce training. “If any universities are struggling to find US citizens to fill openings, they ought to evaluate why their own programs aren’t producing graduates ready for these roles,” he stated. He emphasized that taxpayer-supported universities must serve the American workforce, not be used for what he described as “cheap foreign labor.”

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According to a release from the Governor’s Office, the directive tasks the Florida Board of Governors with enforcing the new policy and ensuring compliance across the State University System. The statement also revealed that the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is collaborating with federal partners to review university funding allocations and root out H-1B-related hiring practices. DeSantis cited examples of positions—ranging from computer coordinators to professors and even assistant coaches—that had been filled by foreign nationals under the visa program.

In conjunction with the visa policy shift, Florida has also repurposed or canceled more than 33 million dollars in grants tied to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. DeSantis said the measure aligns with his administration’s push to ensure public funds are fully dedicated to strengthening the state’s own workforce and promoting what he calls “academic accountability.” The decision has sparked national attention amid broader debates over immigration, higher education reform, and employment fairness in American universities.

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