"SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE: U.S. Immigration Bill Would Extend Warmer Welcome to Highly Skilled"

Read the full article by Yudhijit Bhattacharjee in Science, 1 June 2007.

Some provisions in the 628-page draft legislation:

• Increase to 2 years the time allowed for foreign students to obtain an H1-B.
• Increase the H1-B cap from 65,000 to 115,000, with the option of raising it to 180,000.

The article notes:

The bill (S. 1348) has drawn mixed reactions. "Allowing students 2 years to find a job in their field is a good move that would help draw more global talent to U.S. universities," says Debra Stewart, head of the Washington, D.C.-based Council of Graduate Schools. But Stewart is ambivalent about the point system. "It appears to have been successful in some countries, but its specifics will determine whether it would increase our competitive position."

Top scorer. A foreign-born scientist with a graduate degree
who has worked in the United States for 5 years
would earn 90 points toward a green card under the Senate bill.
PHOTO CREDIT: CHIP EAST/REUTERS
Source: Science