Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced Thursday that the Texas Department of Agriculture will no longer award department-administered grants to businesses that employ workers through the H-1B visa program, establishing new eligibility restrictions intended to direct taxpayer-funded assistance toward Texas workers.

Miller said the policy is designed to prevent state grant money from subsidizing companies that hire temporary foreign workers while Texans seek employment. He also called on Gov. Greg Abbott and other statewide elected officials to adopt comparable restrictions across their agencies and state-administered economic development programs.

“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 in a statement.

“If a company wants taxpayer support, it should demonstrate a commitment to the people paying the bill. Texas workers should come first. Period,” he added.

The H-1B program allows qualifying U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for specialty occupations, generally requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The program has become a focus of national debate over immigration, wages and competition for American jobs.

Miller pointed to Texas’ investments in education, job training and workforce development, arguing that state economic incentives should reinforce those efforts rather than support businesses employing temporary foreign workers.

“Governor Abbott has publicly declared that taxpayer-funded employment should prioritize Texans. I agree, and now it’s time to turn that principle into action,” Miller said.

He urged the governor and other state officials to review their grant programs and close what he described as gaps that could allow public money to reach companies employing H-1B visa holders.

The restrictions have defined limits. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, the policy applies to grants the agency directly administers. It does not extend to programs overseen by independent boards, commissions, or other entities that establish their own eligibility rules. It also does not prevent businesses from participating in state-funded loan programs or receiving federal grants.

Miller’s announcement puts pressure on other Texas officials to determine whether similar eligibility rules should apply to their own agencies and economic development initiatives. Any broader restrictions would require action by the relevant authorities governing those programs.

The policy adds to the national debate over how taxpayer-funded incentives should be used and whether companies that employ foreign workers should remain eligible for certain forms of government assistance.