# Texas H-1B Freeze, Dem Lt. Gov Race & ICE Recalibration | USLege

> Gov. Abbott freezes H-1B visa applications at state universities, labor-backed Marcos Vélez gains momentum in the Democratic lt. governor primary, and Texas…

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# Texas H-1B Freeze, Dem Lt. Gov Race & ICE Recalibration

Texas Political Highlights from the Week

Texas Political Spotlight January 30, 2026

This is the archive excerpt.

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![](/assets/news/472130108aa3_69827cb5167fe02ff066a689_USLege_News.png)

**Welcome back, friends,**

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered a statewide freeze on new H-1B visa applications at Texas public universities and state agencies. In the Democratic race for lieutenant governor, steelworkers union leader Marcos Vélez is gaining traction with major labor backing and fresh scrutiny over fundraising ties linked to Texas Majority PAC as the primary nears. Lastly, Abbott says the White House is developing a plan to “recalibrate” ICE enforcement after fallout in Minnesota, as Texas simultaneously weighs billions more for Operation Lone Star and its ongoing border strategy.

![](/assets/news/9f1312b3e851_69827cb5167fe02ff066a685_1.jpeg)

> Texans come first.  
>   
> I’m directing state agencies and universities to freeze new H-1B visa petitions. Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce. Those jobs should go to Texans.  
>   
> Texas is the strongest economic engine in America. We’re going to keep it that way.…
> 
> — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott\_TX) [January 27, 2026](https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/2016200102210117721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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![](/assets/news/29075a18db04_69827cb4167fe02ff066a680_2.jpeg)

> .[@TexasAFLCIO](https://twitter.com/TexasAFLCIO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) issues no endorsement in the [#TXSEN](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TXSEN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Democratic primary between [@JasmineForUS](https://twitter.com/JasmineForUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and [@jamestalarico](https://twitter.com/jamestalarico?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), endorses [@VelezforTexas](https://twitter.com/VelezforTexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) over [@VikkiGoodwinTX](https://twitter.com/VikkiGoodwinTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) in the Lt. Gov. primary. [pic.twitter.com/tA26d22YjB](https://t.co/tA26d22YjB)
> 
> — Renzo Downey (@RenzoDowney) [January 26, 2026](https://twitter.com/RenzoDowney/status/2015582049986396362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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