Now Reading: H-1B demand surges in Texas even as US filings fall
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H-1B demand surges in Texas even as US filings fall
An analysis by LayoffHedge of 6.9 million Labor Condition Applications found that H-1B demand surged in several Republican-held congressional districts in Texas between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2025, even as filings declined…
The Story in Brief
An analysis by LayoffHedge of 6.9 million Labor Condition Applications found that H-1B demand surged in several Republican-held congressional districts in Texas between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2025, even as filings declined across most of the US. Eight of the fastest-growing districts were in Texas, represented by Republicans. The sharpest increase was in Texas' 3rd District, where filings rose 242%.
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and public universities to freeze new H-1B petitions until May 2027. The order does not cover private employers, meaning companies can still seek foreign workers under federal rules. The figures measure employer demand, not final visa approvals.
The Indian Opinion
The Texas H-1B story punctures a lazy narrative: that Republican districts uniformly oppose skilled immigration. Private-sector demand is soaring in red Texas suburbs even as GOP lawmakers talk tough on visas. Yet Governor Abbott simultaneously froze public-sector H-1B hires, revealing a more complicated truth: business wants foreign talent, but government is wary. The real test is whether this private-public split widens. Watch how many of those 6.9 million applications actually become approved visas.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
