Two large state systems moved this week to restrict new H‑1B hiring at public universities. Florida’s Board of Governors advanced a proposal to prohibit new H‑1B hires systemwide while the Texas governor ordered a pause on new H‑1B petitions from state colleges through May 2027 and demanded detailed reports on current sponsored employees. Governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott framed the steps as protecting in‑state workers and curbing alleged program abuse; university leaders and faculty warn the changes will disrupt research labs, clinical services and recruiting for specialized roles in engineering, medicine and computing. Institutions reliant on international scholars say the moves will complicate hiring, drive up costs and threaten long‑term research capacity.