Between fiscal 2019 and 2025, H-1B visa filings decreased across much of the United States. However, suburban districts under Republican leadership in Texas experienced a surge in applications, according to data analyzed by LayoffHedge. This study reviewed 6.9 million federal Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), finding that the top eight districts with the fastest growth in H-1B demand during this period were all in Texas and represented by Republicans.
LCAs are crucial for employers before they can seek H-1B visas. These applications indicate employer demand for foreign skilled labor but don’t equate to the actual issuance of visas or count of individual workers.
National trends showed that only a minority of congressional districts, out of 243 with sufficient data, showed growth in filings. Democratic-led districts still handled the bulk of H-1B filings nationally, but recent growth was concentrated in some Texas suburbs. Typically, Democratic districts saw a 30 percent decline in filings, while Republican districts observed an 18 percent drop.
Texas bucked the trend. Out of the 20 fastest-growing districts for filings, 10 were in Texas and 15 were held by Republicans. Representative Keith Self’s Third Congressional District saw a 242 percent increase from 1,388 filings in FY2019 to 4,748 in FY2025. The adjacent 26th District, under Representative Brandon Gill, experienced a 217 percent rise from 2,010 to 6,374 filings. Similar significant gains were seen in other Texas districts.
Filings increased by 145 percent in District 31 under Representative John R. Carter, and 126 percent in District 10 led by Representative Michael T. McCaul. In District 22, filings jumped 69 percent under Representative Troy E. Nehls, while District 8 experienced a 58 percent gain under Representative Morgan Luttrell. Additional growth occurred in District 21 under Representative Chip Roy and District 4 represented by Pat Fallon, growing by 48 and 47 percent, respectively.
Newsweek has reached out to these congressional members for comments but has not yet received replies.
“Republican-held” and “Democratic-held” terms relate to the party currently holding a district, not necessarily during the filing period. Some districts gained or lost representation over the course of these years.
H-1B visas allow employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields requiring a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Common areas include software engineering, IT, healthcare, finance, and scientific research. Employers file LCAs with the Department of Labor before requesting H-1B visas through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Generally, these visas grant up to three years’ employment and are extendable, often pending green card processes.
In Texas, this increase occurred amidst new federal restrictions. Changes included a shift in the H-1B lottery prioritizing high salaries, biometric screening fees expansion, and attempts to eliminate job-seeking windows for laid-off workers. Some judicial decisions have halted initiatives like a proposed $100,000 fee on new petitions.
Additionally, Governor Greg Abbott ordered Texas state agencies and public institutions to pause new H-1B visa petition filings until May 31, 2027, unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission.