Congress is pushing for "STEM visas" that would allow foreign students who earn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees to expedite their adjustment to lawful permanent resident status in the United States. A May 11, 2012 report for Congress, entitled "Immigration of Foreign Nationals with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degrees," concludes that the annual cap of 140,000 employment-based immigrant visa admissions (which includes spouses and children of principal applicants) is not enough to keep foreign STEM graduates in the United States. The report notes that failing to retain these graduates would reduce the United States' competitiveness in the global economy.

To date, no legislation on STEM visas has passed. Still, there is a bipartisan push in Congress to let STEM graduates immigrate to the United States without joining the queue for numerically limited immigrant visas. In May alone, three STEM bills were introduced in the Senate. Several bills are already in the House. Some bills restrict permanent residency to graduates of research universities, while others expand it to STEM graduates with advance degrees from any school. Some bills limit the number of STEM visas to 55,000, which include dependents, while others have no cap. Some propose to limit STEM visas to Ph.D. students only. While each bill is different, they all create an additional path for foreign students who earn an advanced STEM degree to get their green cards.

Supporters of STEM visas, including President Obama, argue that the U.S. needs these students to remain a world leader in technology. The number of foreign students who are full-time graduate students in the science, engineering, and health fields rose from 91,150 in 1990 to 148,923 in 2009. According to the National Science Foundation, foreign students earned 57% of all engineering doctorates, 54% of all computer science degrees, and 51% of physics doctoral degrees in 2009. Foreign-born U.S residents were also responsible for filing 25.6 percent of all U.S. patent applications. Critics, however, warn that that STEM visas could harm U.S. workers by intensifying competition for jobs as well as encouraging age discrimination.

While Congress debates the STEM visa bills, the Obama administration is promoting its own policies to retain STEM graduates from foreign countries. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an expanded list of STEM degree programs that qualify foreign students on F-1 visas for an extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT). Following graduation, F-1 students may participate in OPT, which is temporary employment that directly relates to their major area of study. OPT status is generally limited to 12 months. In 2008, the DHS expanded the period to 29 months for F-1 students in STEM fields. To qualify for the 17-month extension, F-1 students must have received STEM degrees included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, be working for an employer enrolled in E-Verify, and have already been approved for the initial 12 months in OPT. The expanded list of designated STEM degree programs now includes such fields as pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics and quantitative economics.

"Attracting the best and brightest international talent to our colleges and universities and enabling them to contribute to their professional growth is an important part of our nation's economic, scientific and technological competitiveness," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "International students and exchange visitors bring invaluable contributions to our nation, and this helps empower the next generation of international entrepreneurs, right here in America."