Overall, increasing the size of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce has been a key strategy to maintain the economic competitiveness and growth of the U.S. economy. STEM workers maintain specialized skills that support research and development activities, increasing the productivity of all workers in the economy. As emphasized above, the GEIR model plugs directly into this core demographic, and sets the stage for what can be accomplished through a fully compliant H-1B cap exempt immigration solution.
Still, many would argue that it is not enough. “While many other countries have created special visas and recruitment programs to attract STEM talent and founders, the U.S. has maintained a Byzantine and confusing immigration process with exceptionally limited slots for multi-year work visas. Today, willing migrants sometimes have to wait several decades for their Green Card and permanent residency.”
The immigration journey for STEM-based students follows a similar pattern. Many obtain F-1 student visas and utilize the Optional Practical Training (OPT) that provides temporary employment for a 12-month period with an option to renew for another 24-months. In theory, this provides a solid 3-year period for highly-skilled foreign national talent to live and work in the United States. Thus, bringing us to the focal point of an immigration journey – one riddled with great uncertainty. A moment where both highly skilled foreign nationals, as well as their respective and potential employers ask:” Now what?”
Inherently, these downward trends with respect to international student enrollment at U.S. colleges and Universities is a key concern for American businesses with high-skilled workforce needs. “Many of tomorrow’s innovators are today’s foreign national college students in the U.S.,” writes Jon Baselice, VP, Immigration Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This example of competition for prospective talent is one of many that illustrate why more international students are considering their education options in other nations. The aforementioned inadequacies of the annual H-1B and employment-based green card quotas and the resulting backlogs that can force individuals to wait for decades until they obtain permanent residency are a significant reason why more students are looking elsewhere.”
As we can see, STEM students represent a core source of economic innovation in the United States. It also represents an elemental part of our H-1B cap exempt model. As highlighted within the GEIR framework, STEM students benefit from mentorship opportunities that foreign national entrepreneurs conduct as part of their residency.
This practical training for the future workforce in the United States is not only meaningful, but necessary for the H-1B cap exempt compliance measures inherent in 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(F)(2)(iv).
Summary
In conclusion, the imperative to enhance the United States' STEM workforce is clear and urgent. The current immigration hurdles, cumbersome processes, and restrictive quotas only serve to stifle the potential influx of talent that could drive the nation's innovation economy forward. By adopting a more streamlined, welcoming, and efficient immigration system—particularly for those in STEM fields—the U.S. could significantly bolster its position as a global leader in technology and innovation. The GEIR model and its emphasis on facilitating a smoother path for STEM talents underline the critical need for reform. Such changes would not only attract and retain the best global minds but would also ensure the continuous growth and competitiveness of the U.S. economy in the increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced world.
