Two major U.S. university systems faced sudden policy shifts as Florida and Texas advanced proposals to pause or ban new H-1B hires at public institutions. Florida’s Board of Governors opened a public-comment window on a proposed prohibition through early 2027, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a moratorium and demanded detailed reporting from state universities. The measures target new H-1B sponsorships and were justified by state officials as steps to protect resident workers; university leaders warned the pauses will disrupt faculty recruitment, research programs and clinical staffing. Higher-ed associations and campus representatives noted exemptions and carve-outs are limited and emphasized that existing visa holders are not immediately affected, but hiring pipelines for early-career researchers and specialized clinicians are at risk. Colleges dependent on international talent say the moves will complicate grant-backed research and clinical services that already face tight labor markets. Institutional counsel and HR teams are preparing compliance reports and contingency hiring plans while urging legislators to consider academic workforce impacts.