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.

S. 3217: 

Startup Act 2.0

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Sen. Jerry Moran [R-KS] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

S. 3217, the Startup Act 2.0, would would create 50,000 new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) work visas for foreign students who graduate from a U.S. college with a master's degree or a Ph.D each year. The foreign students automatically earn 1-year work visa upon graduation and earn an additional 4-years if they are "actively engaged" at the end of the first year. At the end of the 5 year period, the foreign workers will be able for legal permanent worker status.

S. 3192: 

SMART Jobs Act

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Sen. Lamar Alexander [R-TN] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

S. 3192, the SMART Jobs Act, would allow foreign nationals to study for master's degrees and Ph.Ds. at American colleges and universities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields on non-immigrant visas. However, once these individuals graduate, they are free to compete against American workers for jobs and will receive a work permit once they find a job. The bill also creates a new class of visa, the F-4 visa.

S. 3185: 

Securing the Talent America Requires for the 21st Century Act of 2012

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

S. 3185, the Securing the Talent America Requires for the 21st Century Act (STAR) Act, would increase the number of high skilled STEM workers by 55,000 by eliminating the visa lottery. The bill also allows unused green cards allotted for STEM fields to be used in subsequent years. Furthermore, STEM master's degree holders can compete with U.S. workers immediately and receive a green card as soon as they are hired and Ph.D. holders receive a green card immediately.

S. 2005: 

IRE Act

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Sen. Scott Brown [R-MA, 2010-2013] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

S. 2005, the Irish Immigration Recognition and Encouragement Act, would expand the E-3 visa category to include up to 10,500 Irish nationals each year. As the Obama administration has a stated policy of waiving inadmissibility requirements for illegal aliens, and because this bill does not prevent the administration from doing so, this bill acts as a de facto amnesty for illegal Irish aliens in the United States.

S. 1965: 

Startup Act of 2011

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Sen. Jerry Moran [R-KS] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Oppose

S. 1965, the Startup Act of 2011, would create 50,000 new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) visas for foreign students who graduate from a U.S. college with a master's degree or a Ph.D. The bill also creates a new visa program for 75,000 new immigrant "entrepreneurs" -- individuals who already hold an H-1B visa and would be allowed 3 extra years to remain in the U.S. and operate a new business.

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.

Pages