Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a freeze on new H‑1B visa applications at state colleges and universities through May 2027, requiring institutions to document hiring efforts and existing visa holders. The governor framed the move as prioritizing Texans for taxpayer‑funded jobs; university leaders warned the freeze could cripple faculty and research recruitment and increase costs due to new federal fees. Separately, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is recruiting university general counsels to “fight back” against what he calls politically motivated federal interventions. The Virginia move follows a broader wave of state actions—from record requests to legal plans—aimed at countering or responding to federal policy changes tied to immigration and campus governance. Combined, state-level visa restrictions and legal positioning are reshaping how public institutions budget for international hires, conduct compliance reporting, and weigh litigation strategies. Academic HR leaders say delays in visa filings and added paperwork will hinder recruitment for specialized research and teaching roles.