A political decision in Florida is sending ripples far beyond campus walls. At stake are jobs, research programmes and the long standing role of international talent in American higher education. What sounds like a local move is, in reality, part of a much larger national debate.
A Push To Reserve Jobs For Americans
Florida governor Ron DeSantis has instructed state education leaders to stop using H 1B visas to recruit foreign staff at public universities. His stated aim is to ensure that academic roles are filled by American citizens rather than overseas hires.
Speaking at the University of South Florida in Tampa, DeSantis pointed to a series of positions he believes should not require international recruitment. He cited examples ranging from a Spanish swimming coach to a Chinese public policy professor and even a Canadian graphic designer. ‘You are kidding me,’ he said, questioning why such roles could not be filled domestically.
The message is clear. In his view, universities should train and employ Americans first, a position that echoes the broader ‘America first’ rhetoric popularised by Donald Trump.
The Role Of H 1B Visas In Universities
H 1B visas were originally designed to help the United States attract highly skilled professionals in specialised fields. In universities, they are commonly used to hire researchers, lecturers and technical experts who bring specific knowledge that may be scarce locally.
Having worked alongside international academics myself, I have seen how this system shapes campus life. A former colleague from India led a research project that simply would not have existed without his expertise. His students benefited, the department gained prestige and the work attracted funding from abroad.
This is why many in higher education see the move as a threat to academic freedom and research excellence.
A Policy Aligned With Federal Pressure
The Florida decision does not exist in isolation. Under the Trump administration, the cost of H 1B visas rose dramatically, from a few thousand dollars to sums reported as high as 100,000 dollars per applicant. The intention was to discourage employers from hiring abroad and push them towards American graduates.
At the time, then commerce secretary Howard Lutnick argued that companies should ‘train Americans’ instead of recruiting foreign workers. Supporters claimed the policy would protect domestic jobs. Critics warned it would weaken competitiveness and innovation.
Universities Raise The Alarm
Higher education leaders have been quick to voice concern. According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, restricting access to international staff risks undermining the public mission of universities.
Its president, Lynn Pasquerella, has warned that limiting H 1B visas would reduce the ability to recruit and retain top professors, researchers and students. Charles Lee Isbell Jr, chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, has made a similar point, arguing that hiring less qualified candidates damages merit based selection and academic quality.
Limits To State Power
Despite the strong language, the governor’s authority has limits. H 1B visas are issued by the federal government, not individual states. Florida cannot cancel or revoke them outright.
What the state can do is choose not to sponsor these visas for its own university posts. Legal experts suggest such a move would almost certainly face court challenges, raising questions about state versus federal control.
Data from the US Department of Homeland Security shows that around 400 H 1B visas were approved this year for Florida’s twelve public universities. By contrast, Washington University in St Louis reports more than 700 staff on H 1B visas, many working in teaching, cutting edge research and patient care.
More Than A Staffing Decision
Beyond politics, this debate touches on immigration policy, higher education, talent recruitment and America’s global standing. Universities are not factories. Their strength often lies in diversity of thought, background and experience.
Whether Florida’s stance becomes a blueprint for other states remains to be seen. What is certain is that decisions made today will shape who teaches, researches and studies on American campuses for years to come.
