Indian students wishing to continue living in the United States after completing their studies may be eligible to do so, following a bill that has recently been introduced in the US.
Congressman Shri Thanedar, representing Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, has presented H.R. 9023, the Keep STEM Graduates in America Act, a legislation that encourages young students to stay in the US after finishing their studies, VisaGuide.World reports.
The Keep STEM Graduates in American Act proposes new reforms to the H-1B visa process and raises the number of eligible visas each year in order to make staying in the US more accessible for persons capable of contributing to the US industry and economy.
The Congress found that international students pursuing education in technology and sciences have contributed significantly to innovation and growth in the US.
It Is Important to Keep Most Gifted Students in US, Congressman Stressed
Congressmen Thanedar used his experience in order to affirm the importance of the legislation, stressing that it is important to keep talent in the country.
As an immigrant whose educational opportunities in the US shaped all the subsequent opportunities I received, I understand the importance of keeping our most gifted students in the country. By expanding the availability of H-1B visas and making the process to obtain one simpler, we take an important and tangible step towards a future where those students with the most potential to innovate will innovate in the US.
He said the proposal comes following worries related to acquiring an H-1B visa post-graduation with strict deadlines.
In addition, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies expressed support for the legislation.
We thank Congressman Thanedar for introducing this very important bill to retain US-trained STEM graduates. About 300,000 Indian students and millions of foreign students will benefit from this bill. It’s a crucial bill as in the tough job market, they need more time to find appropriate opportunities to contribute to the US economy.
Moreover, he believes that students deserve to find employment and determine which workspace is best for them.
Indians Among Main Beneficiaries of H-1B Visa Program
The United States H-1B visa program, which allows employers in the US to hire foreign workers engaged in fields such as IT specialist, architecture, accountants, and doctors, among others, attracts a large number of Indian nationals as well,
Indians are among the main beneficiaries of the US H-1B visa scheme. The figures from the Times of India reveal that of the total 441,000 H-1B applications approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last year, a total of 72.6 percent of 320,000 were allocated to nationals of India.