Rep. Lofgren Introduces Bill to Retain International Talent

Bill Would Allow Best and Brightest in STEM Fields to Stay in the United States.

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) recently introduced H.R.6039, which would allow masters and Ph.D. level graduates from U.S. universities in science, technology, engineering, and math to obtain green cards without waiting in long lines, if they have job offers from U.S. employers. The measure enjoys strong bipartisan support, initial co-sponsors include: Reps. Chris Cannon (R-UT), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Chris Carter (R-TX), John Conyers (D-MI), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Tom Davis (R-VA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Wayne Gilchrist (R-MD), Mike Honda (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jim McDermott (D-WA), George Miller (D-CA), David Reichert (R-WA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), John Shadegg (R-AZ), Adam Smith (D-WA), and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA). 

“More than 50% of the graduates from U.S. universities in masters and Ph.D. programs in science and engineering are foreign born,” noted Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “If we want our economy to continue competing in the global market, we have to retain these foreign students so they compete with us instead of against us in other countries. These men and women are the innovators of tomorrow, and we aren’t the only ones looking to retain their talents. Increasingly, employers from Europe, Australia, Canada, and even China and India, are beating U.S. employers for valuable talent.  In 2000, for example, 75% of the world’s engineers were hired by U.S. employers—just six years later in 2006, that percentage dropped to 63%. This legislation will give U.S. employers another tool to recruit the world’s best and brightest.”


 
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her seventh term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County.  She serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She also Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee.  Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California. 

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