In a major policy move, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday directed the Florida Board of Governors to prohibit the hiring of foreign workers under the H-1B visa program at state universities. The decision, which aims to “crack down on visa abuse,” mandates that American citizens and Florida residents be prioritized for all academic and administrative positions.
DeSantis emphasized that taxpayer-funded institutions should serve the American workforce and not be used to “import cheap foreign labor.” He argued that while H-1B visas were originally created for specialty occupations, many universities have “misused” the program by hiring foreign workers for roles that qualified Americans could fill.
Florida’s New Policy and Its Broader Impact
Announcing the decision, DeSantis said, “Florida’s universities will no longer be hiring through the H-1B program. We are putting our graduates and residents first.”
Under federal law, universities are exempt from H-1B visa caps, allowing them to hire foreign employees year-round — a loophole DeSantis says has led to “excessive dependence on foreign labor” in higher education.
The governor’s order instructs the Florida Board of Governors to monitor all hiring practices across state universities and ensure compliance with the new directive.
Florida Repurposes Millions in DEI-Related Grants
In addition to the visa crackdown, DeSantis announced that Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has partnered with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and institutional partners to cancel or repurpose over $33 million in DEI-related grants.
The statement claimed that several grants were terminated due to “lack of compliance” with state and federal law regarding DEI-centric (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) missions.
Among the repurposed grants is a $1.5 million program that was originally designed to promote “historically marginalized students” in STEM. It has now been restructured to focus on students’ financial background rather than race or ethnicity, ensuring what DeSantis called a “neutral and merit-based approach.”
DeSantis’ Broader Education Agenda
Governor DeSantis has consistently pushed policies aimed at reshaping Florida’s education system. From banning DEI initiatives to promoting what he calls “American values” in higher education, this latest move reinforces his stance against programs he sees as ideologically driven or anti-meritocratic.
Political observers view this as part of DeSantis’ broader strategy to appeal to conservative voters who support immigration reform and oppose taxpayer funding for diversity-based hiring or educational programs.
