Texas GOP chairman, Indian-origin Abraham George was asked to catch the first flight to New Delhi by a social media troll after Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a freeze on new H-1B visa petitions in state agencies and public universities. This makes Texas the second state, after Florida, to crack down on the H-1B visa program that allows organizations to hire skilled employees from foreign countries. Abraham George recently pushed for a Florida-like move, and within days, Abbott announced the freeze.
"Texans come first. I’m directing state agencies and universities to freeze new H-1B visa petitions. Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce. Those jobs should go to Texans. Texas is the strongest economic engine in America. We’re going to keep it that way," Abbott posted.
"Thank you @GregAbbott_TX Texans comes first!" George reacted to the announcement only to be told to go back to India.
The sudden move from Abbott came after the Governor demanded a full list of H-1B employees working in schools and universities. The controversy began after questions were raised over the H-1B funding of University of Texas and Texas A&M University network.
“Since Governor Abbott can’t force Texas private companies to stop using the H-1B visa program, this is a way for him to signal to Republicans in Texas he is doing everything in his power to fight H-1B visa abuse,” Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University in Houston, told Bloomberg.
Texas bans H-1B: Who does it affect
- The ban does not affect private companies in Texas.
- State agencies that come under the control of the Governor will have to abide by the freeze.
- State universities and higher education institutes will also come under this.
- The order does not specify what will happen to existing H-1Bs, H-1B renewals etc.
