The moratorium follows Gov. Ron DeSantis’ criticisms of the H-1B program last fall. He pointed to employers who use the program to hire foreign workers at lower wages than U.S.-born workers.
Connor O’Brien, a fellow at the non-partisan think tank Institute for Progress (IFP), said he recognized the concerns, but worried the hiring freeze goes too far.
“The H-1B has long been abused by IT outsourcing firms sponsoring middle skill workers for underwhelming pay,” said O’Brien, “Unfortunately, the proposal, as currently written, would go much further than trimming back the questionable uses of the visa at state schools.”
O’Brien pushed for an exception for researchers, scientists and physicians, pointing out how a ban could affect medical institutions like University of Florida Health.