In January 2026, the Texas state government announced a temporary freeze on new H-1B visa petitions filed by state agencies and publicly funded universities. The directive applies until May 31, 2027 and requires prior approval from the Texas Workforce Commission for any new petition. The policy does not cancel existing visas but restricts future hiring through the H-1B program.
The decision affects several public healthcare institutions and academic medical centers that rely on skilled international professionals for clinical care, education, and research.
The hiring freeze directly impacts public hospitals, state medical schools, and university-affiliated healthcare centers in Texas. These institutions commonly employ international medical graduates, clinical researchers, and specialist physicians under the H-1B visa program.
Private hospitals and corporate healthcare providers are not directly covered by the order. However, experts note that broader uncertainty around visa policies may influence recruitment across the healthcare sector.
The policy took effect in late January 2026 and applies statewide in Texas. Public institutions must submit detailed reports on their H-1B workforce by March 27, 2026, including the number of current visa holders and their roles. The freeze will remain in place until May 2027, unless revised earlier by the state.
State officials stated that the measure aims to prioritize employment for U.S. residents in state-funded positions and to review potential misuse of the federal H-1B visa program. The announcement aligns with ongoing national discussions on immigration reform, increased scrutiny of visa applications, and labour market protection.
The H-1B visa program, introduced in 1990, allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized roles when qualified domestic workers are unavailable. Healthcare remains one of the sectors most dependent on this program.
Healthcare workforce experts report that internationally trained physicians make up nearly 25% of doctors practicing in U.S. hospitals. Many serve in high-demand specialties such as internal medicine, oncology, emergency care, and anaesthesiology, particularly in regions facing physician shortages.
Limiting new H-1B hiring may delay recruitment, increase workload for existing staff, and strain services in public healthcare facilities. Cancer centres and teaching hospitals may face additional challenges, as specialized care and academic medicine often require globally trained professionals.
While current H-1B healthcare workers can continue their roles, the restriction on new appointments may reduce workforce flexibility during periods of rising patient demand.
In a statement issued last year, the American Hospital Association highlighted the significant contribution of internationally trained healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and underserved regions. The association noted that nearly 26% of clinicians working in U.S. hospitals are non-citizen immigrants, many of whom join the healthcare workforce through visa programs such as the H-1B.
The hiring freeze does not immediately reduce the number of practicing doctors in Texas. However, experts caution that long-term staffing limitations could affect access to timely care, particularly in specialized and underserved settings.
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