US Influencer Criticizes Texas Governor's H-1B Crackdown as Too Little, Too Late
American podcaster and social media influencer Kyle Seraphin has publicly called out Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his recent crackdown on H-1B visa hiring in state agencies and universities. Seraphin's criticism is not rooted in opposition to the policy itself, but rather in his belief that the action comes far too late to be effective.
"They Came Here, Set Up Shop, Had Babies"
In a pointed social media post, Seraphin argued that the governor's freeze on new H-1B hires is an insufficient response to what he perceives as a significant demographic shift. "I was wondering why Texas imported so many Indians. This makes more sense. Gov Abbott just froze new H1Bs in Texas... too late," Seraphin wrote. He continued with a provocative statement: "They came here, set up shop, had babies, took over neighborhoods, and brought whatever their culture is with them."
While the H-1B visa program is open to skilled workers from many countries, Seraphin's comments specifically targeted the Indian community, which represents a substantial portion of H-1B holders in the United States.
A Stark Contrast to 2024's Partnership Rhetoric
Seraphin's critique included a reminder of Governor Abbott's 2024 visit to India, which was funded by the Texas Economic Development Corporation. During that trip, Abbott championed a strong economic partnership between Texas and India, delivering a speech in New Delhi that highlighted shared values and mutual benefits.
"Texas and India are two places—and two people—who both share an independent streak and a desire to make our mark on the world," Abbott said at the time. He emphasized their strategic locations and common values of family, faith, compassion, and hard work. The governor also showcased the economic impact of Indian investment in Texas, noting that Indian companies had invested over $1.4 billion in capital through 59 projects over the previous decade, creating more than 10,300 jobs in the state.
Abbott added that over 542,000 Indians call Texas home, underscoring the deep ties between the state and the Indian diaspora.
Details of the Texas H-1B Crackdown
Governor Abbott's recent executive order imposes a freeze on H-1B hiring within Texas state agencies and public universities. This policy is set to remain in place for one year and includes a prohibition on extending visas for existing H-1B employees in these sectors. Experts have expressed concerns that the freeze could negatively impact critical fields, particularly healthcare and medical services, where foreign-born professionals often fill essential roles.
It is important to note that the governor's jurisdiction does not extend to private companies, which are exempt from this hiring freeze. However, private entities are not entirely immune to scrutiny.
Parallel Investigations into Private Firms
In a related development, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced investigations into three private firms that employ H-1B visa holders. These companies have been asked to provide detailed information about their workforce and operations. The investigations were reportedly triggered by a video from Texas journalist Sara Gonzales, who visited the official addresses of some H-1B sponsoring entities and claimed to find no active business operations there, raising questions about potential visa fraud or misuse.
The situation presents a complex picture of Texas's approach to immigration and economic policy, balancing between fostering international partnerships and addressing domestic concerns over visa programs and workforce composition.
