H-1B visa: Florida gubernatorial hopeful targets foreign workers, threatens firms to hire Americans or ‘face wrath’

Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback warned nearly 1,900 Florida employers using H-1B workers to fire them and hire 'qualified Floridians' or face the 'ultimate wrath of the state of Florida' if he is elected governor.

Fishback made the remarks in a post on X and during a gubernatorial debate hosted by the PBD Podcast in Fort Lauderdale.

His campaign platform includes removing H-1B visa holders from state agencies, canceling state contracts with companies relying on H-1B workers, and imposing steep financial penalties on businesses hiring foreign professionals.

The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations, typically in technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance, and is often used to address skilled worker shortages.

His comments sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters praising his stance and others questioning the legal authority of a governor to compel private companies to dismiss H-1B employees.