Florida’s Board of Governors is considering a policy that would bar the state’s public universities from using the H-1B program for new hires through Jan. 5, 2027. The proposal, prompted by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ directive to curb what he calls “H-1B abuse,” would impose a practical freeze on hiring international researchers and specialized faculty at institutions that rely heavily on foreign talent. Federal data show the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of South Florida employ hundreds of H-1B workers; university leaders warn a ban could disrupt research, medical staffing and graduate programs and complicate already tight faculty recruitment.