H-1B visa applications dropped across most of the United States between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2025. However, applications surged in Republican-held suburban districts in Texas. This trend was identified through a new analysis of federal labor data by LayoffHedge.
The study reviewed 6.9 million federal Labor Condition Applications (LCAs). It found that the eight congressional districts with the fastest-growing demand for H-1B visas are all represented by Texas Republicans. LCAs are a requirement for employers before they petition for H-1B visas. These applications indicate corporate demand for foreign skilled labor, not the final visas issued or individual workers.
This trend contrasts with national patterns. Among 243 congressional districts analyzed, less than 25% showed growth between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2025. While Democratic districts continued to have the majority of H-1B filings nationwide, the highest recent growth was seen in certain suburban districts in Texas. The median Democratic-held district saw filings decrease by 30%, whereas the median Republican-held district saw an 18% decrease.
Suburban Texas districts, however, were exceptions. Ten of the 20 fastest-growing districts are in Texas, with 15 represented by Republicans. In Texas’s Third Congressional District, represented by Keith Self, filings rose by 242%, from 1,388 in FY2019 to 4,748 in FY2025. In the neighboring 26th District, led by Brandon Gill, filings increased by 217%, from 2,010 to 6,374.
Other Texas districts that experienced notable growth include the 31st District under John R. Carter with a 145% increase, and the 10th District led by Michael T. McCaul, which saw a 126% rise. The 22nd District under Troy E. Nehls had a 69% increase, while Morgan Luttrell’s 8th District saw a 58% bump. In District 21, Chip Roy recorded a 48% rise, and Pat Fallon’s District 4 grew by 47%.
Newsweek reached out to these Congress members for comments and is awaiting responses. The study aligned filings to current congressional boundaries, defining “Republican-held” and “Democratic-held” by current party representation, not during past filings. Some lawmakers in these rapidly growing districts were not serving throughout the 2019-2025 period. For instance, Brandon Gill and Morgan Luttrell joined Congress in 2025 and 2023, respectively, while Keith Self also assumed office in 2023.
The H-1B visa is a temporary U.S. work permit allowing employers to hire foreign professionals in occupations needing at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent expertise. Common fields include software engineering, IT, healthcare, finance, engineering, and scientific research. Employers must file a LCA with the Department of Labor before petitioning for an H-1B visa. Typically valid for three years, the visa can be extended, with some workers staying longer for employment-based green cards.
The increase in Texas occurs amid federal restrictions introduced during the Trump administration. Significant changes include dismantling the traditional H-1B lottery to favor high earners, expanding biometric screening fees to extension applications, and proposing to remove the 60-day job-seeking window for laid-off immigrants. Courts have blocked parts of this agenda, such as a proposed $100,000 fee on new overseas petitions.
Governor Greg Abbott instructed all Texas state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa petitions. This pause, in effect through May 31, 2027, the end of the Texas Legislature’s 90th Regular Session, remains unless the Texas Workforce Commission grants written approval.