In January, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched an investigation into potential abuse of the federal H-1B visa program, directing all state agencies and public universities to freeze new H-1B visa applications and submit H-1B utilization information to the Texas Workforce Commission.
The freeze could have an outsized effect on the state’s cancer research infrastructure, which the government has spent nearly two decades and $6 billion building.
Forty-four public universities, health centers and offices reported sponsoring 3,332 H-1B workers to the Texas Workforce Commission, according to a July 22 report from The Texas Tribune.
As part of the directive, public institutions cannot file new H-1B visa petitions through May 31, 2027, without written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission.
As of July 17, no public university or state agency had sought permission for new H-1B petitions, The Texas Tribune report said.
Under former Gov. Rick Perry, Texas established the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas in 2007. Dedicated to fueling cancer research and innovation, CPRIT has committed to fund $6 billion in cancer research grants. More than $745 million of those grants have already been awarded to Houston-based University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
According to documents reviewed by The Texas Tribune, MD Anderson Cancer Center sponsors 277 H-1B visa holders, the majority of whom conduct cancer research.
MD Anderson’s contributions to cancer research include not just discovery but also fundamental training of physicians and physician-scientists who go on to develop drugs with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, Lore Gruenbaum, PhD, chief scientific officer and senior vice president of research at Blood Cancer United, said in The Texas Tribune report.
“This is the training ground,” Dr. Gruenbaum said. “Nobody can advance without going through this training ground.”
The Texas restrictions come as another visa policy shift threatens international medical training nationwide.
The Department of Homeland Security recently finalized a rule capping U.S. stays for international students and exchange visitors at four years, ending the open-ended “duration of status” framework for medical trainees.
DHS will admit F and J visa holders for the length of specific programs, which are not to exceed four years. To stay beyond that window, visa holders must apply for and be approved for an Extension of Stay. The rule is expected to take effect Sept. 15.
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