Texas – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that the Texas Department of Agriculture will no longer award eligible department-administered grants to businesses that employ workers holding H-1B visas, saying taxpayer-funded programs should prioritize companies that create opportunities for Texas workers.
Miller said the policy is intended to ensure public funding supports businesses that invest in the state’s workforce rather than companies relying on temporary foreign labor.
“Texas taxpayers work hard for their money. They deserve to know that their tax dollars are being used to create opportunities for Texans—not to subsidize businesses that choose foreign labor while Texans are ready and willing to work,” Miller said.
The commissioner also challenged Gov. Greg Abbott and other statewide elected officials to introduce similar restrictions across their agencies, grant programs and economic development initiatives.
Miller pointed to Abbott’s public statements about prioritizing Texas workers in taxpayer-funded employment, arguing that state leaders should translate that position into changes to their funding policies.
“Texans deserve more than tough talk. They deserve a government that puts their interests first when spending their money,” Miller said, calling on state officials to review programs that provide grants and economic incentives to private businesses.
Under the new requirements, businesses seeking eligible grants administered directly by TDA will face restrictions tied to their employment of H-1B visa holders. The department says the policy is intended to direct taxpayer-funded assistance toward businesses that support the Texas workforce and invest in local communities.
However, the changes do not cover every program administered by the agriculture department. They do not apply to TDA grant programs operated on behalf of independent boards, commissions or other entities that establish their own eligibility requirements.
The policy also does not prevent Texas public or private entities from receiving federal grant funding or participating in state-funded loan programs administered by TDA.
Miller said the department would also like to see greater transparency surrounding recipients of public funding and a broader review of existing economic incentive programs.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that generally require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Employers must meet federal requirements, including rules governing wages and working conditions.
Miller’s announcement concerns eligibility for a specific category of state-administered grants, rather than a statewide prohibition on businesses employing H-1B workers. The restrictions do not change federal immigration rules or prevent affected companies from operating in Texas.
The commissioner said the department’s approach should serve as an example for other state agencies handling taxpayer-funded business assistance.
