Gov. DeSantis directs Florida Board of Governors to crack down on H-1B visa abuse in state universities

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Board of Governors to crack down on H-1B visa abuse in higher education. Governor DeSantis also announced that Florida DOGE has partnered with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and institutional partners to cancel or repurpose millions of dollars in DEI-related grants.

“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,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. That’s why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice.”

Florida is requiring institutions to put American graduates first and ensure taxpayer-funded schools serve the American workforce, not be used to import cheap foreign labor. H-1B visas are allegedly intended to hire individuals for a specialty occupation, but many universities and institutions have hired foreign workers for jobs that could easily be filled by qualified Americans. Universities are exempt from federal H-1B caps, enabling year-round hiring of foreign labor.

By working with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and individual institutions, Florida has also repurposed or canceled DEI-related grants that were made, with total intended amounts of more than $33 million. 

Several grants were canceled due to their lack of compliance with state and federal law regarding DEI-centric, discriminatory missions. Examples include:

• $1.5 million for “Challenging Anti-Black Racism in Civil and Environmental Engineering Curriculum,” a grant centered around environmental justice and equitable and inclusive curriculum for civil engineers.

• $1.3 million for “Mobilizing Physics Teachers to Promote Inclusive and Communal Classroom Cultures Through Everyday Actions,” a grant focused on inclusive and equitable practices for women and minority racial groups and promoting inclusion and equity in classrooms.

Florida repurposed millions of dollars in previously DEI-centered grants to align with state and federal law and represent an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. Examples include:

• Repurposing a $1.5 million grant previously focused on promoting “historically marginalized students” in STEM fields to focus on financial background, rather than race or ethnicity. 
  
• Expanding a $700,000 National Science Foundation grant historically focused toward exclusively black students to include eligibility for all students, regardless of race or background.

Florida DOGE has also identified over $10.6 million in grants within the Florida College System to repurpose or cancel. Examples include:

• $454,000 for a grant targeted toward “underrepresented populations” in drone work and avionics.
  
• $750,000 for a grant exclusively available for minorities pursuing STEM degrees.