118th Congress Immigration
H.R. 5477: Keep STEM Talent Act of 2023
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill addresses issues relating to non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) with advanced degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field, including exempting certain such individuals from direct limitations on the number of immigrant visas granted per year.
To be exempt from the annual numerical limitations on immigrant visas, the individual must (1) have earned a master's level or higher degree in certain STEM fields while in the United States attending an accredited higher education institution, (2) be employed (or have an offer) to perform work directly related to the degree and earn higher than the median wage for that occupation, and (3) meet certain labor certification requirements.
The bill also allows an individual seeking a nonimmigrant F-1 (student) visa for an advanced STEM degree to obtain the nonimmigrant visa even if the individual seeks lawful permanent resident status. (Generally, an individual may be denied a nonimmigrant visa if the individual actually intends to seek immigrant status, unless dual intent is allowed for that visa.)
Read the full summary
Under this bill, to be approved for an F-1 visa for an advanced STEM degree, the applicant must apply for the visa before beginning the advanced degree program.
The bill also requires an individual who is inside the United States and applying for an F-1 visa for an advanced STEM degree to undergo the same vetting (e.g., verifying academic credentials and undergoing background checks) as an individual applying from outside the United States.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Sylvia Garcia D-TXOriginal
- Michael Lawler R-NYOriginal
- Wiley Nickel D-NCOriginal
- Chrissy Houlahan D-PA
- Delia Ramirez D-IL
- David Trone D-MD
- Shri Thanedar D-MI
- Nikema Williams D-GA
- Eleanor Norton D-DC
- Donald Beyer D-VA
- Gerald Connolly D-VA
- Chris Deluzio D-PA
Who scored on this bill
- 1Bill Foster SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Bill Foster
- H.R. 3682: Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025
- H.R. 783: To designate the Department of Energy Integrated Engineering Research Center Federal Building located at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, as the "Helen Edwards Engineering Research Center".
History
- Introduced in the House by Bill Foster.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.