Two state-level moves this week put new limits on hiring foreign nationals at public universities. Florida’s Board of Governors advanced a proposal to pause new H‑1B hires at state institutions pending public comment, and Texas enacted a one‑year freeze on new H‑1B appointments, officials and university system leaders said. University leaders and faculty groups warned the pauses will hinder recruitment of researchers, physicians and technical staff, and could worsen capacity gaps in health care and STEM programs. Campuses say the moratoria apply to new sponsorships only and not to current visa holders, but presidents and provosts told trustees the step will complicate workforce planning and grant delivery. Higher‑ed advocates urged states to gather precise usage data before acting and warned that additional federal fees and state restrictions combined could drive talent away from public research institutions. Colleges should prepare contingency staffing plans and expect litigation and legislative pushback as the measures move through comment and review periods.