Background: Graduates of American universities in science, technology, engineering, and math – or "STEM" fields – are behind many of the innovations and new businesses that are part of our present and future economic growth. Talented students from around the world contribute to the graduate STEM programs of our universities. Foreign students receive nearly four out of every 10 master's degrees awarded in STEM fields and about the same percentage of all doctorates.

But our immigration system does not always put American interests first. We have the most generous level of legal immigration in the world but we select only 5% of our immigrants based on the skills and education they bring to America. Although these foreign graduates of U.S. universities in STEM fields are in great demand by American employers, many of them end up on years-long green card waiting lists. And as a result, many of them give up and go to work for one of our global competitors.

In an ever-competitive global economy, we must keep our country as the world's greatest source of innovation and creativity. The STEM Jobs Act allows employers to fill their talent needs with foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in STEM so that they can continue creating jobs and growing our economy.

Bill Information

Bill Text

Bill Summary

Press Resources

Smith: Senate Democrats Block Jobs Bill - December 5, 2012

Holmes: Support high teach immigration (Austin American-Statesman) - November 30, 2012

House Approves STEM Legislation - November 30, 2012

White House, Democrats send world's best and brightest to back of the line - September 26, 2012

Congress fails on a no-brainer - September 26, 2012

Smith on STEM Jobs Act Vote: Democrats Vote Against Jobs and Economy - September 20, 2012

Statement of Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith Floor Consideration of H.R. 6429, the "STEM Jobs Act of 2012" - September 20, 2012

Strong Support for the STEM Jobs Act - September 20, 2012

Broad Coalition Calls for Bipartisan Passage of STEM Jobs Act - September 19, 2012

Foreign graduates in STEM fields can boost U.S. (Politico) - September 18, 2012

Smith Introduces the STEM Jobs Act - September 18, 2012

Smith Releases Draft STEM Legislation - September 14, 2012

Broad Coalition Calls for STEM Bill - July 12, 2012

Letters of Support

Information Technology Industry Council - November 29, 2012

U.S. Chamber of Commerce - November 29, 2012

IEEE-USA, American Council on International Personnel, Society for Human Resource Management, Semiconductor Industry Association - November 28, 2012

CTIA The Wireless Association - November 28, 2012

U.S. Chamber of Commerce - September 19, 2012

CONNECT - September 19, 2012

Multi-Industry STEM Support Letter - September 19, 2012

Information and Technology Industry Council - September 19, 2012

American Conservative Union - September 18, 2012

Water Innovations Alliance - September 17, 2012

Nano Business Commercialization Association - September 17, 2012

Statements of Support

IEEE-USA - September 18, 2012

Semiconductor Industry Association - September 18, 2012

Compete America - September 18, 2012

The American Instiute of Aeronautics and Astronautics - September 17, 2012