TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Diya TV) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new directive on Wednesday to stop state universities from hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas. He called the program “abused” and said he wants to prioritize American graduates.
DeSantis stated that the order instructs the Florida Board of Governors to put an end to what he sees as the misuse of H-1B visas in higher education. He believes public universities should hire qualified American citizens and Florida residents instead of bringing in workers from other countries.
“Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring qualified Americans who are ready to work,” DeSantis said. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. That’s why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to stop this practice.”
The governor mentioned that audits found instances of state colleges hiring workers from China and other nations for teaching and research jobs. “Why do we need to bring someone from China to discuss public policy?” he asked. “We can do that with Florida residents or Americans. If we can’t, then we need to closely examine this situation.”
DeSantis noted that Florida leads the nation in higher education and produces thousands of capable graduates each year. He urged universities to look for talent locally before seeking foreign candidates. “If any universities are having trouble finding U.S. citizens for their job openings, they should review their academic programs to understand why they aren’t producing graduates who can be hired,” he said.
According to the governor’s office, the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, will assist federal authorities and the State University System in enforcing this directive. This measure also involves cancelling or repurposing millions of dollars in diversity, equity, and inclusion grants, known as DEI grants, across public institutions.
The state says this decision follows an internal review that found DEI-related funding inconsistent with state and federal law. The announcement listed several cancelled grants, including one titled “Challenging Anti-Black Racism in Civil and Environmental Engineering Curriculum,” which was worth $1.5 million. Another grant, “Mobilizing Physics Teachers to Promote Inclusive and Communal Classroom Cultures,” valued at $1.3 million, was also halted.
DeSantis claimed those grants promoted biased or ideological agendas that did not support educational goals. “Taxpayer-funded universities should focus on academic excellence, not political activism,” he said. “Our schools must serve the American workforce and not be used to bring in cheap foreign labor.”
Currently, universities are not subject to federal limits on H-1B visas, allowing them to hire foreign workers year-round. The governor stated this exemption has been misused to fill non-specialized roles that qualified Americans could easily fill.
“H-1B visas are meant for specialty occupations,” DeSantis said. “Yet universities have used them for jobs like computer application coordinators, assistant professors, and even an assistant swim coach from Spain.”
The governor connected his decision to the larger economic climate, noting widespread layoffs at major U.S. companies. “When you see people losing jobs at Amazon and UPS, it’s clear we need to ensure our citizens have first access to opportunities,” he said.
DeSantis also announced that Florida has redirected millions of dollars from DEI-related grants to new programs that meet state and federal standards. For example, a $1.5 million grant that was initially intended to support “historically marginalized students” in STEM will now focus on students from disadvantaged financial backgrounds rather than on race or ethnicity.
This directive is part of DeSantis’s ongoing effort to reshape higher education in Florida. Over the past year, he has challenged DEI initiatives, gender studies programs, and tenure policies in what he describes as a push for accountability and merit-based education.
With this latest order, DeSantis stated that Florida will “ensure universities serve their purpose — to educate students, strengthen the workforce, and put Americans first.”
His actions are expected to lead to legal and political debate as universities consider how to comply with both state directives and federal labor laws. However, DeSantis firmly believes the policy reflects Florida’s values. “We’re not against anyone,” he said. “But our priority must be to protect opportunities for the people of Florida and the citizens of the United States.”
