Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has launched a crusade against universities in the state that are hiring foreign visa workers through the H-1B program, urging them to stop the practice altogether.
DeSantis believes that universities across the country are resorting to importing foreign workers with H-1B visas instead of hiring qualified Americans for specialized positions. He claims that this is a case of "H-1B abuse" and has directed the Florida Board of Governors to end the practice.
However, it's unclear whether states have the authority to revoke federal visas or whether DeSantis' directive can be implemented without violating US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. The H-1B program allows employers to hire skilled foreign professionals for positions that are difficult to fill with US workers, but DeSantis argues that this is being misused to replace Americans with lower-paid foreign labor.
DeSantis pointed to specific examples of roles filled by workers from China, Argentina, and Canada, claiming that these were taken away from qualified Floridians. He asserts that the H-1B program enables companies to take advantage of cheap labor, rather than investing in American talent.
The University of Florida is one of the largest users of the H-1B program, with over 150 staff members employed under the visa. Other universities, including the University of South Florida and Florida State University, also rely heavily on the program.
While some educators acknowledge that temporary H-1B visa holders can bring valuable skills to the table, DeSantis' views have sparked controversy among Trump supporters, who see the program as essential for US innovation.
DeSantis believes that universities across the country are resorting to importing foreign workers with H-1B visas instead of hiring qualified Americans for specialized positions. He claims that this is a case of "H-1B abuse" and has directed the Florida Board of Governors to end the practice.
However, it's unclear whether states have the authority to revoke federal visas or whether DeSantis' directive can be implemented without violating US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. The H-1B program allows employers to hire skilled foreign professionals for positions that are difficult to fill with US workers, but DeSantis argues that this is being misused to replace Americans with lower-paid foreign labor.
DeSantis pointed to specific examples of roles filled by workers from China, Argentina, and Canada, claiming that these were taken away from qualified Floridians. He asserts that the H-1B program enables companies to take advantage of cheap labor, rather than investing in American talent.
The University of Florida is one of the largest users of the H-1B program, with over 150 staff members employed under the visa. Other universities, including the University of South Florida and Florida State University, also rely heavily on the program.
While some educators acknowledge that temporary H-1B visa holders can bring valuable skills to the table, DeSantis' views have sparked controversy among Trump supporters, who see the program as essential for US innovation.
I mean, have you ever tried making sweet potato fries in it? Game changer! But anyway, back to H-1B visas... I feel like there's always a debate going on about whether they're helping or hindering US universities. Like, is it really fair to blame the universities for taking advantage of the program when some companies are super hesitant to pay good wages to American workers? 
On the other hand, if the universities can bring in talented foreign professionals who might not have gotten a job otherwise... that's gotta be seen as positive, right? I'm no expert, but it seems like we need to find a middle ground and look at each case individually rather than making sweeping statements about "abuse" 
... I mean, universities are supposed to be hubs of innovation and research, but now they're being pitted against their own workers? It's like DeSantis thinks everyone who's not from here is just some faceless foreigner trying to steal a job. Newsflash: people are people, regardless of where they're from! 
. But then again, isn't it also true that some of these foreign workers are being underpaid and overworked? It's not a black-and-white issue.
. What if we were to actually invest in training programs for our own workforce instead of demonizing an entire program that's supposed to help us?
. And now he wants to dictate how universities can manage their staffing? That's a power play if I've ever seen one 
.
. But on the other hand, I can see why DeSantis is worried about "H-1B abuse" 
. It's all pretty murky. And what about the people who do get hired through H-1B? Are they really being replaced by lower-paid foreign labor or are they getting paid fairly and contributing to society? We need more info before we can make a judgment call 
.
I get why some Trump supporters would be stoked about this, but it just seems like another example of politicians not understanding the basics. If you want to boost innovation, you need to invest in education and research, not just hand out visas willy-nilly.
. I wish someone could just come up with a simple, clear plan for how we're going to fix this problem without causing even more chaos.
. I mean, universities are already struggling to find qualified American talent in certain fields, and now they're being told to stop hiring foreign workers altogether? That's just not gonna cut it, you know? 