Florida Governor Candidate James Fishback Vows to Ban H-1B Visas, Says Indians Benefit the Most

Florida governor candidate James Fishback has intensified his stance on immigration, asserting that the H-1B Visa program “blocks job opportunities for American workers” and “unfairly advantages immigrants from India.” The 30-year-old businessman has pledged that, if elected, he will work to eliminate the program and remove all H-1B visa holders employed within state agencies.

Fishback, a former adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), officially launched his campaign last Monday. He claimed that the H-1B system disproportionately benefits Indians and insisted that the American workforce should not have to compete with foreign labor for entry-level roles.

“We have recent college graduates in Florida who can’t secure jobs. Americans are among the smartest and most hardworking people in the world. Bringing in low-cost labor from India and china for accounting or IT roles is simply absurd,” Fishback told CNN.

When asked why he appeared to single out Indian Americans—who represent only 0.59% of Florida’s population—Fishback responded: “I mention Indian-Americans not because of their identity but because they receive around 77% of all H-1B visas. I don’t hate immigrants; I just love our own people.”

Doubling down on his hardline stance, Fishback said he would immediately dismiss all H-1B visa holders employed in state departments if he becomes governor.

“As governor, I will terminate all H-1B employees working in state agencies and cut state contracts with companies that hire H-1B workers instead of qualified Floridians. I will incentivize businesses to prioritize American talent,” he stated on X.

He also attacked Republican opponent Byron Donalds, accusing him of siding with corporate interests that rely on foreign labor. “H-1Byron won’t do anything but promote the interests of his H-1B corporate donors,” Fishback claimed.

Much of Fishback’s campaign messaging focuses on dismantling the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire skilled workers for specialized sectors. Although the visa program is federally regulated, Fishback has threatened to impose strict restrictions at the state level and penalize firms that continue using it, according to Newsweek.

“That will be completely unacceptable,” he said. “These companies will hear directly from me, and they will face massive fines.”

Fishback Rebukes Trump for Supporting the H-1B Visa Program

Although Fishback identifies as a Trump supporter, he has openly criticized the former president for backing the H-1B system. Speaking to Newsweek, he said, “I support President Trump, but I don’t agree with all of his decisions,” specifically referencing Trump’s stance on high-skilled visas.

Fishback, whose mother immigrated from Colombia, is now pushing for a near-total halt to legal immigration. He argued that immigration patterns have drastically changed: “Immigration 30, 40, 50 years ago is very different from immigration today,” he said, comparing his mother’s journey with the current system.

He has positioned himself as a conservative outsider championing strict “America First” policies.

Who Is James Fishback?

James Fishback, a 30-year-old American investor, founded the investment firm Azoria in 2023 and currently serves as its CEO. Raised by a Colombian immigrant mother and a bus-driver father, Fishback left Georgetown University at 21 to establish a hedge fund, as reported by MarketWatch and Newsweek.

He drew national attention in June 2025 after distancing himself from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This followed a public clash between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, during which Fishback demanded an apology from Musk for what he described as “baseless personal attacks” on the president.

The incident further elevated his profile as a rising conservative voice, especially among voters who support stringent immigration reform and nationalist economic policies.