NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Austin, TX, April 10, 2026: A video of Texas Governor Greg Abbott welcoming the Indian American community during a Diwali celebration has resurfaced online, drawing renewed attention amid ongoing debates over the H-1B visa program.
The clip, originally from a Diwali event hosted at the Texas Governor’s Mansion, shows Abbott praising the contributions of Indian Americans and describing Texas as a welcoming place for the community. The video has recently circulated widely on social media, where it has been shared alongside commentary about immigration and employment-based visa policies.
The renewed attention comes as discussions around the H-1B visa program—used by U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations—have intensified, particularly among policymakers and advocacy groups focused on domestic employment and immigration reform.
In an April 7 statement to The Dallas Express, Abbott’s press secretary, Eduardo Leal, said criticism directed at the governor over immigration visas is misplaced, emphasizing that visa policy is determined at the federal level.
“Any criticism towards Governor Abbott about immigration visa issues are misdirected. Let’s be clear: the federal government has exclusive purview and is solely responsible over immigration visa policy, including H-1B visas. The Governor does not have the authority to approve or deny visas for any private business,” Leal said.
Leal added that Abbott has taken steps within the scope of state authority, including directing Texas state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa petitions.
“What Governor Abbott has done is take decisive action within Texas’ authority. He directed state agencies and public universities to freeze new H-1B visa applications … The private sector should follow that example and prioritize American workers for American jobs,” Leal said.
The Dallas Express report also noted that Abbott has previously called for reforms to the H-1B program, aligning with broader Republican positions advocating tighter controls on employment-based immigration.
