DeSantis Orders Crackdown on H-1B Visa Use in Florida Universities

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 30TH OCT 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered a crackdown on the use of H-1B visas in the state’s higher education institutions, directing universities to prioritize hiring qualified American workers over foreign labor. DeSantis criticized universities for relying on H-1B visa holders for positions such as professors and coordinators that could be filled by U.S. citizens.

He argued that Florida, which leads the nation in higher education, produces thousands of capable graduates each year who should be given preference for these roles. The Governor also questioned the need to hire foreign nationals, citing examples like public policy professors from China and an assistant swim coach from Spain. Alongside this directive, DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has partnered with federal and institutional bodies to cancel or repurpose over $33 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related grants, reinforcing his administration’s focus on serving the American workforce first.