Texas lawmakers and Gov. Abbott push tighter controls on foreign influence in universities

On Tuesday, the Texas House Higher Education Committee will debate the adequacy of safeguards protecting university research from foreign adversaries, and Governor Greg Abbott will unveil additional policies aimed at curbing foreign influence in education. The agenda mirrors provisions of House Bill 127, authored by Rep. Terry M. Wilson, which established the Higher Education Research Security Council, required screening of non-permanent-resident foreign citizens and those linked to adversary nations before they can work on research projects, and barred state-funded institutions from accepting gifts from such governments.

The law also obliges colleges to set up approval processes for international travel and to certify compliance before state funds are released. Texas A&M System research-security chief Kevin Gamache praised the bill’s balance of protection and flexibility, while Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Kate Bierly called for more detailed annual disclosures of foreign gifts and contracts. Abbott’s earlier executive order and a recent directive freezing new H-1B petitions until Texas Workforce Commission approval further tighten controls, with no university having sought approval as of mid-July.