Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. / X

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Oct. 29 directed the state’s Board of Governors to crack down on what he called the “abuse” of H-1B visas in higher education, saying universities were favoring foreign workers over qualified Americans.

DeSantis, whose ancestors immigrated from Southern Italy, has positioned the move as part of his broader effort to eliminate what he calls “woke waste” in Florida’s education system.

“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,” DeSantis said in Tampa. “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.”

DeSantis said state universities must “put American graduates first” and ensure taxpayer-funded schools serve the domestic workforce. While H-1B visas are meant for highly skilled workers, he argued that many universities have used them to fill jobs Americans could perform. Because universities are exempt from federal H-1B caps, they can hire foreign workers year-round.

 

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. We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. That’s why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this… pic.twitter.com/dw3n8Ho5BK

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 29, 2025

DEI grant cancellations

DeSantis also announced that Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has worked with the federal DOGE, the State University System, and other institutions to cancel or repurpose more than $33 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related grants.

Several grants were canceled after being deemed non-compliant with state or federal laws on discrimination. They included $1.5 million for a project titled ‘Challenging Anti-Black Racism in Civil and Environmental Engineering Curriculum’ and $1.3 million for ‘Mobilizing Physics Teachers to Promote Inclusive and Communal Classroom Cultures Through Everyday Actions’.

 

Florida ranks #1 in the country for higher education because we are willing to challenge the status quo. Today at @USouthFlorida, I was proud to announce that our Florida DOGE team has worked to eliminate or repurpose tens of millions of dollars in DEI-related projects at our… pic.twitter.com/1ddiEVAbDJ

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 29, 2025

The state said it also repurposed funds from DEI-focused grants to programs it considers lawful and inclusive of all students. One $1.5 million grant previously targeting “historically marginalized students” in STEM was modified to focus on financial background instead of race or ethnicity. Another $700,000 grant once limited to Black students was expanded to include all students, regardless of race.

Florida DOGE said it found another $10.6 million in grants within the Florida College System to cancel or repurpose, including $454,000 for a program aimed at “underrepresented populations” in drone technology and $750,000 for minorities pursuing STEM degrees.

 

Governor DeSantis Announces Results of Higher Education and H-1B Audits at USF https://t.co/UsmD7d1rAS

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 29, 2025

Social media users react

The announcement against H-1B hiring drew sharp responses online. 

A user, Prasad K, pointed to the hypocrisy of the move and wrote that DeSantis “is Italian-American” and reminded readers of his family’s immigrant background, saying all four of his great-grandparents had immigrated from Southern Italy before DeSantis was born in Jacksonville, Florida.

Some social media users questioned the move’s intent and impact, with one commenting, “So, in an effort to protect jobs, you're targeting H-1B visas instead of addressing why universities might prefer foreign talent? Isn’t limiting options just another form of government overreach?”

Another user said sarcastically, “Next step is to ban international students from Florida universities too, one would hope.”

Critics accused the Governor of discouraging global talent, while supporters called the measure overdue. One user wrote, “H-1B has been harming Americans for decades. Crush the foreign worker visas and the people will support you!”

Others praised the decision as a way to prioritize citizens. “Go further,” one user wrote. “All state agencies should be free of foreign workers.”