Florida’s university system is considering a proposal to bar public campuses from using new H‑1B visas through Jan. 5, 2027, a policy the Board of Governors will put up for public comment. The draft fulfills Gov. Ron DeSantis’s October directive to end what he called “H‑1B abuse” at state universities; supporters argue it will protect U.S. workers, critics say it will strip research centers and medical schools of essential international talent. The proposal would affect hundreds of faculty and researchers—University of Florida employed 253 H‑1B workers in fiscal 2025—triggering concerns from higher‑ed leaders about research capacity and clinical staffing. If adopted, the policy would be implemented by university trustee boards and could reshape hiring pipelines across Florida campuses.