Overview
- Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Board of Governors to “pull the plug” on use of H‑1B visas at public universities and to prioritize hiring U.S. citizens.
- USCIS rules state that visas are federal and cannot be revoked by states, and employers cannot fire workers based on immigration status, creating uncertainty over enforcement.
- DeSantis’s office said the Florida Department of Government Efficiency and partners canceled or repurposed more than $33 million in DEI‑related grants tied to higher education.
- Reporting cites approximately 395 H‑1B employees at Florida public universities and roughly 7,200 statewide approvals or renewals in 2025, with many roles in STEM fields.
- University leaders, including the University of Florida’s interim president Donald Landry, said they are reviewing H‑1B use as faculty and legal experts question the governor’s authority, and the Board of Governors has not announced an implementing action.