A new analysis has uncovered a dramatic increase in H-1B visa filings across suburban Texas districts, sparking concerns about wage suppression and job competition for American workers.
Federal labor data shows that H-1B visa applications surged by 242 percent over six years in the Third Congressional District—represented by Rep. Keith Self (R-TX)—which ranks among the eight fastest-growing regions for H-1B demand in Texas. The study, conducted by LayoffHedge—a firm tracking corporate layoffs—examined 6.9 million federal Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) and found ten of the nation’s 20 fastest-growing H-1B districts are located entirely within Texas.
An H-1B visa permits U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specific occupations, though applicants often transition to permanent status. The program has long faced scrutiny as a potential source of wage suppression and visa fraud.
Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX), whose district recorded a 217 percent rise in filings, described the system as “an abomination that is suppressing American wages, taking American jobs, and culturally erasing American communities.” He explicitly called for its immediate abolition.
Earlier this year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) launched an investigation into H-1B visa fraud, warning that anyone attempting to scam the program through “ghost offices” or fraudulent schemes would face severe legal consequences. Paxton, running against Democrat James Talarico in the state Senate race, has positioned the issue as critical to his campaign.
