By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

American graduates will be prioritized by the state public university system in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday.

The second-term Republican said he is directing the State University System of Florida’s Board of Governors “to end this practice” of importing workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring qualified Americans.

“Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job,” DeSantis said. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions.”

DeSantis’ announcement follows second-term Republican President Donald Trump’s Sept. 19 proclamation issuing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B proposals.

H-1B visas are nonimmigrant authorizations often utilized by specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge, the U.S. Department of State website says. Physicians are another category utilizing them. People can use them to live and work temporarily in the United States.

Amazon, Meta and Apple were among the top petitioners for H-1B visas in 2025. Congress sets a maximum annual cap for these visas at 85,000.

However, state-funded organizations, like universities, are exempt from this congressionally mandated cap. These organizations typically recruit H-1B workers for research and professor positions.

Massachusetts, Michigan, Colorado and Alaska have also initiated programs to recruit immigrant entrepreneurs who can be sponsored through the state’s universities.

Trump cited a lack of jobs for American workers and suppressed wage conditions.

“The large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security,” the proclamation reads.

It is unclear how Desantis’ announcement will be implemented in Florida’s university system.