STEM immigration is critical to American national security

Attracting and securing highly-skilled foreign-born talent is a key issue for U.S. competitiveness and national security. The House of Representatives recently passed the America COMPETES Act, which included immigration provisions in Section 80303 that exempt advanced STEM degree holders from green card caps. If Section 80303 makes it into the final bill, it will be easier for the U.S. to onshore and develop industries that are critical to achieving American national security objectives. STEM immigration reform should not be an afterthought in a competitiveness bill, it should be central to our strategy for retaining American technological leadership.