New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed legislation that would prohibit H-1B visa holders from working in the state's public schools, arguing that foreign influence should have no place in classrooms.

Abbott announced the proposal during a campaign event in Austin, saying he would ask the Texas Legislature to pass a law imposing a "total ban" on H-1B workers in public schools.

Abbott said his proposal would ensure that public school employees are not working in Texas under the federal H-1B visa programme.

"Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas," Abbott said.

He argued that the state was being forced to act because of what he described as a failure by the federal government to imp...