H.R. 6429: 

STEM Jobs Act of 2012

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Rep. Lamar Smith [R-TX21] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Split

H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012, would cancel the visa lottery program and transfer the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year.

H.R. 6412: 

Attracting the Best and Brightest Act of 2012

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D-CA19] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

H.R. 6412, the Attracting the Best and Brightest Act, would add 50,000 new visas to a new employment-based priority category for aliens who have a master’s degree or higher in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), from a U.S. institution of higher education. Visas that are unused by the end of each financial year continue past the end of the year. The Department of Homeland Security has to publicly release a monthly report with details regarding the visas awarded under the new category.

H.R. 3146: 

American Innovation and Education Act of 2011

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Rep. Raúl Labrador [R-ID1] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

H.R. 3146, American Innovation and Education Act of 2011, would exempt aliens who earn a graduate degree in math, science, technology, or engineering at a United States institution from the numerical limitations on H-1B nonimmigrants. In addition, it would increase the numerical limitation per foreign state from 7 percent to 15 percent and make administrative changes to the STEM Education and Training Account, which collects application fees and distributes grants and scholarships to educational institutions.

H.R. 2161: 

IDEA Act of 2011

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D-CA19] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

The bill would provide green cards to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates from U.S. universities. Specifically, it would allow graduating students to convert their student visas into H-1B visas (exempting them from the numerical limitations) and later allowing them to adjust their status. Furthermore, it would allow a graduating student to extend their visa on an annual basis until their H-1B credentials have been certified.

H.R. 399: 

STAPLE Act

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Sen. Jeff Flake [R-AZ] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

H.R. 399, the STAPLE Act, would exempt aliens who earn a Ph.D degree in math, science, technology, or engineering at a United States institution from the numerical limitations on H-1B nonimmigrants. Specifically, this legislation would offer permanent residence status to doctors, teachers, and engineers, driving down wages and creating undue competition for high-skilled American workers.