A proposal in Iowa aimed at limiting the employment of specific foreign workers in colleges and universities has progressed through the state legislature.
House File 2513, which focuses on the utilization of H-1B visas within higher education, has successfully passed the Iowa House and moved through preliminary stages in the Senate.
The bill, which targets public universities, community colleges, and certain private institutions, would prevent new employment agreements with H-1B visa holders from countries classified as 'foreign adversaries' or 'state sponsors of terrorism.'
Nations identified in this classification include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela.
The legislation follows a review by Republican-led states regarding the application of the H-1B visa program in public institutions.
If implemented, the Iowa legislation would take effect for new contracts starting in mid-2026, while current employees would generally remain unaffected.
The H-1B visa program permits employers to recruit workers in specialized sectors where there is a scarcity of domestic talent.
