Keep STEM Talent Act

Summary#

This bill creates a new immigration path for certain foreign students who earn advanced degrees in STEM at U.S. colleges and universities. It requires graduate students pursuing master's-level or higher STEM degrees to apply for admission before starting their program. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State must verify academic credentials, run background checks, and conduct interviews like they do for people applying from abroad. They must also report each year to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees about visa volumes, processing times, security outcomes, and economic impacts.

The bill adds a new category for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status for people who: earn a master’s or higher STEM degree in the United States from an accredited institution; have a job offer or are employed in work directly related to that degree; are paid above the median wage for the job in that area; and have an approved labor certification. Spouses and children who join these workers are included. The bill spells out which fields count as STEM (for example: computer science, engineering, math, biological sciences, physical sciences, agriculture, and natural resources). It also changes some immigration procedures so petitions for this category can be filed with the Department of Homeland Security. Finally, it allows certain F nonimmigrant students in STEM graduate programs to seek permanent residency while holding or seeking a student visa (a form of "dual intent").

What it means for you#

• If you are an F-status student planning a master's or higher STEM degree at a U.S. institution: you must apply for admission before you begin the program. You may be subject to extra checks, credential verification, and an interview.
• If you earn an eligible STEM degree and get a qualifying job offer that pays above the median wage and have an approved labor certification: you may be able to apply for lawful permanent resident status under the new category. Your spouse and children may also be eligible to accompany or join you.
• If you are an employer: you must offer work directly related to the degree, pay above the median wage for the job area, and work with the labor certification process to support the employee’s LPR application.
• For government agencies: DHS and State must set up the strengthened vetting procedures and deliver an annual report to Congress on how the requirements are working.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects. The bill requires DHS and the Department of State to establish procedures and produce an annual report, but it does not include cost estimates in the text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.