State governments have moved to restrict new H‑1B hiring at public colleges, prompting alarm from university leaders who rely on international scholars for research, instruction and clinical roles. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a statewide pause and detailed record requests to verify hiring practices; Florida policymakers have pursued similar directives. Media reports and Chronicle analysis show the measures apply to new petitions and not to current visa holders, but they still threaten recruiting pipelines and campus research capacity. Texas gave institutions a deadline to report the number, job classifications and origins of sponsored H‑1B employees and asked for proof that qualified Texans were considered for positions. Florida’s policy deliberations included a system-level pause that could persist into 2027. Higher-education advocates warn these actions will complicate hiring for STEM, health and specialized academic posts, and will add administrative burden and compliance costs at a time when federal policy already increased sponsorship fees. Universities are weighing legal and operational options, from challenging state orders to shifting recruitment strategies. Campus leaders say the measures risk curtailing academic freedom and international collaboration while impairing teaching and research missions.