{"id":24885,"date":"2026-01-27T11:51:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2026\/01\/27\/florida-may-ban-foreign-h-1b-faculty\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T11:51:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:51:41","slug":"florida-may-ban-foreign-h-1b-faculty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2026\/01\/27\/florida-may-ban-foreign-h-1b-faculty\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida May Ban Foreign H-1B Faculty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Proposed Ban<\/h1>\n

Florida could bar its public universities from hiring foreign faculty on H-1B visas for the next year, a move called potentially \u201cdevastating\u201d to science departments at state schools.
\n
\nJust months after Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wanted to \u201cpull the plug\u201d on the use of those visas at state colleges and universities, the Florida Board of Governors is slated to take steps to abide by his request.<\/p>\n

Background on the H-1B Visa Program<\/h2>\n

The H-1B program allows companies and institutions to bring in educated foreign professionals with at least bachelor\u2019s degrees for \u201cspecialty\u201d occupations that are deemed hard to fill with U.S. workers. Almost 400 such employees work at Florida universities. The program has been a subject of debate, with some arguing it provides necessary skilled labor and others claiming it takes opportunities away from American workers.<\/p>\n

DeSantis’ Stance on H-1B Visas<\/h3>\n

DeSantis in October said foreign professors, including those from China, Argentina, and Canada, were \u201ccheap labor\u201d and taking opportunities from qualified Floridians. This stance has been met with disagreement from professors who argue that foreign faculty on H-1B visas often fill hard-to-fill positions.<\/p>\n

Impact on Science Departments<\/h4>\n

Kathryn Jones, a biological science professor at Florida State, disagreed with DeSantis, saying professors on H-1B visas often are needed for hard-to-fill positions. Banning H-1B visa hires would be \u201cdevastating\u201d for Florida university science departments and their students, she said. University staff on H-1B visas are largely in computer science, engineering, physics, and chemistry departments, fields relatively few Americans pursue.<\/p>\n

Use of H-1B Visas in Florida Universities<\/h5>\n

Florida\u2019s universities are among the largest users of the H-1B visa program in the state, with the University of Florida employing 150 staff on those visas, according to federal immigration data. Other universities aren\u2019t far behind, with 72 at USF, 69 at Florida State University, 28 at the University of Central Florida, and 13 at Florida Atlantic University.<\/p>\n

Reactions to the Proposed Ban<\/h6>\n

Foreign faculty, who Jones called her \u201chighly valued colleagues,\u201d often were already in the U.S. on student visas and use the H-1B visa as a pathway to citizenship. Talat Rahman, the president of UCF\u2019s faculty union who came to the U.S. from Pakistan in part because of the H-1B program, said she was \u201cdisturbed, disappointed, and sad\u201d about the proposed state ban.<\/p>\n

National Context<\/h2>\n

The H-1B program involves more than 7,200 employees in Florida, mostly at private companies. It has recently divided supporters of President Donald Trump, with some like Elon Musk strongly favoring the program and others on the side of DeSantis. In September, Trump announced an increase in fees for individual H-1B visas from $215 to $100,000, a move expected to sharply limit the program.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The proposed ban on hiring faculty on H-1B visas at Florida public universities could have significant implications for the state’s education system, particularly in science departments. The debate surrounding the H-1B visa program reflects broader discussions about immigration, labor, and diversity. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to consider the potential impacts on students, faculty, and the state’s economy.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n