Florida’s public universities may soon face restrictions on hiring foreign faculty on H-1B visas. This proposed ban, set to last for one year, has raised significant concerns among academic leaders, particularly in scientific disciplines. The Florida Board of Governors is scheduled to vote on the measure in a meeting on October 26, 2023, in Tallahassee.
If approved, the regulation would prohibit state universities from employing faculty who require H-1B visas to work in the United States. Following a push from Governor Ron DeSantis, who previously expressed a desire to eliminate the use of these visas in state colleges, the board’s decision could have far-reaching implications. Under the H-1B program, U.S. employers can hire foreign professionals with specialized skills that are difficult to find among domestic workers.
Currently, approximately 400 foreign employees at Florida’s universities hold H-1B visas. Governor DeSantis has criticized these hires, suggesting that they undermine opportunities for qualified Floridians. He referred to foreign professors from countries such as China, Argentina, and Canada as “cheap labor.”
This perspective is contested by many within the academic community. For instance, Kathryn Jones, a biological science professor at Florida State University, argues that foreign faculty often fill essential roles that local candidates cannot. “If you’re searching for someone who does cryo-electron microscopy… there’s often not someone from a domestic background who comes up in that year as ready to go for a job,” Jones stated.
The university staff on H-1B visas is predominantly found in fields such as computer science, engineering, physics, and chemistry, disciplines where there are fewer American graduates. Data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics indicates that in 2023, about 60% of those who earned Ph.Ds in computer science from U.S. universities were temporary visa holders, not citizens or permanent residents.
Florida’s universities are among the top users of the H-1B visa program. The University of Florida employs 150 staff members on these visas, with other institutions such as the University of South Florida employing 72, and Florida Atlantic University having 13. Jones refers to her foreign colleagues as “highly valued” contributors to the academic environment. She expressed concern over the potential impact of a ban, suggesting it would hinder access to qualified faculty.
The H-1B program encompasses more than 7,200 employees in Florida, primarily at private companies. This debate has recently divided supporters of former President Donald Trump. While some, including Elon Musk, advocate for the program, others align with DeSantis’s viewpoint. In September 2023, Trump announced significant increases in fees for individual H-1B visas, raising costs from $215 to $100,000, a fee typically borne by employers. This policy change, along with a proclamation citing “systematic abuse” of the program, could further complicate the H-1B landscape.
The agenda for the Florida Board of Governors meeting does not elaborate on the rationale behind the proposed one-year ban. The outcome of this discussion could reshape the academic landscape in Florida significantly, impacting faculty recruitment and the diversity of expertise available to students.
This is an evolving situation, and further updates will follow as the board reaches a decision.