Keeping in line with the Biden Administration’s objective to attract and maintain global talent in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (“STEM”), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has recently published additional online resources on its website, to " provide an overview of some of the temporary and permanent pathways for noncitizens to work in the United States” in the STEM fields. The guide highlights “some of the most important considerations for STEM professionals who want to work in the United States”, including:
Nonimmigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States; and
Immigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States.
The guide comes at the heels of President Biden signing into law a bipartisan bill investing $52 billion in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and science research. The bill, known as the “Chips and Science Act,” includes billions for US companies producing computer chips, and billions more in tax credits to encourage investments in chip manufacturing. The bill also funds scientific research and development as well as boosting the innovation and development of other technologies.
Currently, the US does not produce enough doctorates and master’s degrees in STEM fields to work in US based microchip plants. In fact, “decades of declining investments in STEM education means the U.S. now produces fewer native-born recipients of advanced STEM degrees than most of its international rivals.” We must look to “attract and retain international students” and the new guidance is a step in the right direction.