MU responds to criticism of H-1B job posting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri has received criticism of job postings for which it wants to hire foreign professionals.

The university has eight job postings on the website of its International Student and Scholar Services program. The postings included Labor Condition Applications "in support of an H-1B status petition" as required by Department of Labor regulations.

According to the Department of Labor's website, employers use the H-1B program hire nonimmigrant foreign professionals "as workers in specialty occupations," among other reasons.

On Thursday, state Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Cass County) posted on X calling the job postings "outrageous."

"Public universities getting American tax dollars should hire qualified Americans, not shop around for H1B visa workers," Brattin wrote in his post.

This is OUTRAGEOUS!
Public universities getting American tax dollars should hire qualified Americans, not shop around for H1B visa workers.
Mizzou posting a comms job for foreign applicants is just wrong. Fire the H1B Advisor (if hired) and hire Missouri talent. America First… https://t.co/Go6vdQtIm0

— Rick Brattin (@RickBrattin) April 30, 2026

Jesus Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General with the Department of Justice, also reacted to the posting on social media, saying, "We want to hear from you." Osete previously worked in the Missouri Attorney General's Office as deputy attorney general and deputy solicitor general.

We want to hear from you. https://t.co/Ie07uxaRUO https://t.co/tTwfsFsyI6

— Jesus A. Osete (@JesusOseteDOJ) April 30, 2026

MU spokesperson Christopher Ave told ABC 17 News the university is reviewing the matter.

"The university attempts to hire U.S. citizens and permanent residents through competitive recruiting processes. On occasion, the university hires highly qualified individuals that require an H-1B visa," Ave said. "The university follows the federal rules and regulations in petitioning for these visas, including making the required postings. On the rare occasions that we request these visas, they are for highly specialized positions for which a doctorate or master’s degree is required. For these positions, we exhaust our efforts to hire a qualified U.S. individual. After we file the petition, the federal government will determine if the application is accepted.”