Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared on Wednesday his firm stance against what he described as the misuse of H-1B visas in the state’s universities. He directed the Florida Board of Governors to put an end to this practice, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing American workers.
In a message shared on X, DeSantis criticized universities nationwide for recruiting foreign workers through H-1B visas instead of employing qualified American citizens. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions,” he asserted, urging a shift in hiring practices within educational establishments.
Highlighting Florida’s leading position in higher education, DeSantis pointed out the wealth of capable American graduates emerging from state colleges and universities annually. He challenged institutions facing difficulties in hiring U.S. citizens to reassess their academic programs, questioning why they are unable to produce graduates suited for their job vacancies.
His administration issued a statement underscoring this sentiment, stressing the importance of prioritizing American graduates and ensuring that taxpayer-funded schools fulfill their duty to support the domestic workforce instead of relying on foreign labor.
DeSantis also criticized the use of H-1B visas, which he claimed are often employed for roles that could easily be filled by Americans. He noted that universities, exempt from federal caps on H-1B visas, can hire foreign workers throughout the year, a practice he believes undermines opportunities for homegrown talent.
“H-1B visas are allegedly intended to hire individuals for a specialty occupation, but many universities and institutions have hired foreign workers for jobs that could easily be filled by qualified Americans. Universities are exempt from federal H-1B caps, enabling year-round hiring of foreign labor,” it also said.
The Department of Labor says on its website that the H1-B visa program “applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.”
“A specialty occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The intent of the H-1B provisions is to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorizing the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorized to work in the United States,” it added.
DeSantis said at a news conference Wednesday that Florida looked at its universities and found people there on H1-B visas, including an assistant swim coach from Spain, according to Fox13 Tampa Bay.
“Are you kidding me? We can’t produce an assistant swim coach in this country?” DeSantis said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump tour “Alligator Alcatraz” in Ochopee, Fla., on July 1, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-ReynoldsAFP via Getty Images)
DeSantis’ move comes after the Department of Justice asked people in late August to report illegal visa practices that could come at the expense of American workers.
Citizens are being urged to flag “discriminatory” advertisements for jobs, especially ones that state that the employer prefers people on a seasonal or H-1B visa.
“Are you an American citizen who has been harmed by inappropriate preferences for foreign workers, e.g. H1-B or other? Follow the link. It’s also a place to report human trafficking of immigrant workers, and Title VII employment discrimination,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon posted to X.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions.” (GovRonDeSantis/X)
The Department of Justice is also allowing people to send in tips for possible human trafficking violations related to temporary visa programs.
