Overview
- Speaking at the University of South Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis told the Florida Board of Governors to “pull the plug” on university use of H‑1B visas, calling the program cheap labor and “indentured servitude.”
- USCIS data show about 7,200 H‑1B approvals and renewals in Florida so far this year, including 677 linked to education, with the University of Florida at 156, the University of South Florida at 72, and Florida State University at 69.
- USCIS guidance says states cannot revoke federal visas and employers cannot fire workers based on immigration status, leaving unclear whether the order targets current visa holders or only future sponsorships.
- Higher‑education leaders warn restrictions would undercut recruiting in STEM and research disciplines that already face shortages of qualified U.S. applicants.
- DeSantis also announced the repurposing or cancellation of more than $33 million in DEI‑related grants, and any phase‑out of H‑1B use would take time because visas typically run for up to three years with a possible three‑year extension.