Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared on Wednesday his intent to crack down on what he describes as the “abuse” of H-1B visas within the state’s universities. He has directed the Florida Board of Governors to put an end to this practice.

In a statement shared on X, DeSantis expressed his concerns about universities nationwide, claiming they prefer hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas over qualified American citizens. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions,” he asserted, urging the Board of Governors to take decisive action against it.

Highlighting Florida’s strong standing in higher education, DeSantis noted that each year, thousands of highly qualified American graduates emerge from the state’s colleges and universities. He urged universities facing hiring challenges to reflect on their academic programs to understand why they might struggle to produce suitable graduates for their available positions.

His office further elaborated, emphasizing that Florida is committed to ensuring that its educational institutions prioritize American graduates. The statement stressed the need for taxpayer-funded schools to support the American workforce, rather than using resources to employ foreign labor at lower costs.

Governor Ron DeSantis delivers a speech on April 10, 2025, in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“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,” it also said.

The Department of Labor says on its website that the H1-B visa program “applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.”

“A specialty occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The intent of the H-1B provisions is to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorizing the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorized to work in the United States,” it added.

DeSantis said at a news conference Wednesday that Florida looked at its universities and found people there on H1-B visas, including an assistant swim coach from Spain, according to Fox13 Tampa Bay.

“Are you kidding me? We can’t produce an assistant swim coach in this country?” DeSantis said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump tour “Alligator Alcatraz” in Ochopee, Fla., on July 1, 2025.  (Andrew Caballero-ReynoldsAFP via Getty Images)

DeSantis’ move comes after the Department of Justice asked people in late August to report illegal visa practices that could come at the expense of American workers.

Citizens are being urged to flag “discriminatory” advertisements for jobs, especially ones that state that the employer prefers people on a seasonal or H-1B visa.

“Are you an American citizen who has been harmed by inappropriate preferences for foreign workers, e.g. H1-B or other? Follow the link. It’s also a place to report human trafficking of immigrant workers, and Title VII employment discrimination,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon posted to X.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions.” (GovRonDeSantis/X)

The Department of Justice is also allowing people to send in tips for possible human trafficking violations related to temporary visa programs.