Gov. Greg Abbott proposed prohibiting Texas public schools from accepting foreign funding and banning them from employing H-1B visa workers at a press conference on Tuesday, August 18.

Abbott, who is seeking re-election in November, has made education a focal point in his campaign. In his remarks, he stated that his goal was to put Texas “on the pathway to ranking #1 in educating our children,” touted record education funding levels in 2025, and praised the teacher incentive allotment program.

Education is important, according to Abbott, because “the minds of our students are shaped by influences that they are exposed to in our public schools.” The governor added that those minds and the Texas education system risk “being compromised by foreign influence,” which necessitated the proposals he announced.

“Texas classrooms should be a safe place for students to learn, grow, and succeed, not a place for foreign entities to indoctrinate young Texans,” he said. “There should be zero foreign influence in the education of our children. My proposal will shut the door on foreign money, materials, and partnerships in our K–12 schools.”

The first of the governor’s proposals would prohibit Texas public schools “from accepting gifts or entering into partnerships or other financial arrangements with foreign governments and the entities they own, fund, or act through.” Abbott specifically cited the Austin Independent School District’s (ISD) Arabic language program, whose funding is tied to Qatar. He also mentioned Chinese government-connected Confucius Institutes present within Texas.

Abbott was joined by two members of the Texas Public Policy Foundation: Sam Westrop, a senior fellow, and Kate Bierly, Next Generation Texas campaign director. 

“Foreign adversaries understand that one of the most powerful ways to influence a country is not through force, but through soft power,” Bierly told The Texan in a statement. “They shape what children learn, what they believe, and how they understand America. When foreign governments or organizations fund curriculum, teacher training, or educational programs, they can gain access to our classrooms and influence children at an incredibly formative age.”

Bierly added that “[Texas] schools should be places where [the] children learn the truth, not places where foreign interests get to shape what they think. I am grateful to Governor Abbott for recognizing this threat and taking action to protect Texas classrooms, Texas families, and the next generation.”

Abbott’s other proposal was to forbid Texas public schools from employing H-1B visa holders. In his words, “Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas.” 

According to The Houston Chronicle, as of 2025, Texas public schools employ about 500 H-1B visa holders, nearly half of whom are working for Dallas (ISD). This follows a freeze on hiring H-1B visa holders in state agencies and universities that Abbott enacted in January. 

The escalation came because, according to the governor, the federal government failed to put “limits on who can come in under H-1Bs.”

“We need to find Texans or Americans who can educate our students. Period,” he said.

If the Legislature assents, Texas would become the first state to ban H-1B visa holders from working in its public education system.