Florida’s public universities may soon find themselves unable to hire foreign faculty on H-1B visas for the next year. This proposed ban, which critics describe as “devastating” to the state’s science departments, aligns with Governor Ron DeSantis‘ recent remarks advocating for the cessation of these visas in state colleges and universities.
During a meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Board of Governors is set to vote on a one-year prohibition on hiring faculty relying on H-1B visas. If approved, the board will invite public comments for two weeks before finalizing the decision in a subsequent meeting. The H-1B program allows U.S. institutions to employ foreign professionals with at least bachelor’s degrees in specialty occupations that are difficult to fill domestically. Currently, nearly 400 foreign faculty work at Florida’s universities under this visa category.
Governor DeSantis has expressed concerns that foreign professors, including those from countries like China, Argentina, and Canada, represent “cheap labor” that displaces qualified Floridians. In contrast, Kathryn Jones, a biological science professor at Florida State University, argues that the expertise provided by H-1B visa holders is essential for filling specialized roles. She highlighted the challenges of recruiting individuals for niche scientific positions, stating, “If you’re searching for someone who does cryo-electron microscopy… there’s often not someone from a domestic background who comes up in that year as ready to go up for a job.”
Professors note that many university staff on H-1B visas are concentrated in fields such as computer science, engineering, and physics—areas where fewer Americans are pursuing advanced degrees. Data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics indicates that approximately 60% of individuals earning Ph.D.s in computer science from U.S. universities in 2023 were temporary visa holders.
Florida universities are significant participants in the H-1B visa program, with the University of Florida employing 150 staff under these visas, followed by 72 at the University of South Florida, 69 at Florida State University, 28 at the University of Central Florida, and 13 at Florida Atlantic University. Jones expressed her dismay at the potential ban, stating, “They’re citizens now, and they are absolute contributors. I would just hate to think that we wouldn’t have access to those sort of colleagues anymore.”
The H-1B program involves more than 7,200 employees in Florida, primarily within private companies. The initiative has recently created a divide among supporters of former President Donald Trump, with figures such as Elon Musk advocating for its continuation, while others align with DeSantis’ stance. In September, Trump announced a dramatic increase in fees for individual H-1B visas from $215 to $100,000, a cost typically borne by employers. This move has raised concerns about potential legal challenges and could severely restrict the program’s future, although it does not affect current visa holders.
The agenda for the Florida Board of Governors does not specify the reasons behind the proposed one-year ban. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as the story develops.
