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H.R. 1791, The STAPLE Act
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Visitor Comments
an International PH.D. student
March 31, 2009, 9:24pm (report abuse)As an international ph.d. student myself, I want this bill to be passed ofcourse.
But, to be fair, I trust that U.S. people should and will stick to the foundamental goodness of this country: liberty and equalness.
I don't think people with PH.D. degree deserves special treatment. A fair system without loopholes would be much better.
I do see abuses of H1B visas and endless argument over illegal immigrations.
Honest people are punished and frustrated.
The rules are broken. Please fix it and make it fair. I don't think this adhoc patch will work and will be passed.
U.S. Worker
April 2, 2009, 12:06pm (report abuse)This bill is awful and irresponsible and should not be passed!
This would be nothing but a backdoor method for companies to bypass the talented members of U.S. workforce and glut the already saturated market, prolonging the suffering of the highly skilled U.S. workforce.
Seven Years Spent Chasing a PhD and on H1B
April 2, 2009, 12:50pm (report abuse)This bill is largely if not completely irrelevant to fundamental goodness, liberty and equality. This bill if passed would not give special treatment to PhD degree holders. Everybody works in their own interests. It would just allow America to utilize the services of the people educated to the highest level in American institutions with their money.
Another International Phd Student
April 8, 2009, 2:42pm (report abuse)Why not, i am being very fair here. Most Phd candidates ( not those who are simply accepted in the phd program) are international students. Many fields here in the US lack quality manpower, which can be supplemented by this bill. In any case this is my frank opinions, i dont believe the bill will even clear the committee. So people do not fret!!!
Wonderful
April 9, 2009, 12:11am (report abuse)I also believe that this bill would never see the light of the day. This bill will never clear the judiciary committee. PhDs spend a lot of time working on research and teaching positions that benefit the US economy and tech sector, but hey technical slaves cannot have rights. Who else would work for 70 hours a week with no holiday, 7 days a week, take exams every 6 months, committee meething every 3 months and get paid $900 monthly. It has to be foreign (read Indians and Chinese). I remember a comparison..a sanitary worker at Harvard makes more than a graduate student or postdoc makes. Oh how lovely can the American Dream be...
American PhD Student
April 9, 2009, 8:57am (report abuse)I think that this bill is probably the best decision made regardless to our economy, but since it is proposed by a republican, I doubt it will ever be approved.
This bill is not about letting trained internationals around to steal our jobs, but rather to have the best possible workforce to make our industry an our economy grow accordingly. I reckon this will bring modification to the H1B policies, and hopefully will be so restrictive that stops the outsourcing from Chinese and Indian companies.
That being said, is not for every PhD, but only for those in technical sides. I also believe that it should not be for every PhD in a technical field, but only for those who have received some sort of award or recognition during their studies (either a best paper award, or invited to join a honors society, or graduated top 10% of their program, etc.) In this way, only the best of the best will remain here, and we all win.
Joel - professor
April 11, 2009, 2:21pm (report abuse)As a nation we have excelled with our open immigration policy for talented hard workers. During the dot.com boom the policy got diluted and system needs a reform.
IF our political leaders were to act in interest of the nation and show goodwill for patriotic ideas from across the party lines, this bill would be accepted easily because:
1- It segregates small US accredited PhD talent group from rest of the (now dubious) large H1B pool. It is painful to learn that a PhD who gets rigorously trained and tested for an average 6 years at a meagerly pay is made to compete against other H1B candidates that are much less qualified. The PhD loose because of the shear volume of (fake?) experienced H1B applicants.
2- It will ease up pressure on the H1B quota, which must be tuned according to job-market numbers. PhD jobs are somewhat immune from day-day market movement.
Question is do leaders act in national interest? Or in interest of their party? or a large amnesty-granted voter pool?
DS
April 11, 2009, 5:06pm (report abuse)This bill should be passed if US wants to prevent the brain drain and keep its edge in technology and innovation.
Yet another International PhD Student
April 13, 2009, 7:52pm (report abuse)The main objection to the bill is that Americans would be discriminated against for jobs. The fact that US is lagging behind in much of the high-tech innovation can be attributed to lower enrollments in PhD programs. In a way the bill could work against American workers in case of research oriented jobs but will tremendously augment innovative research, which will surely benefit the US in the long run. An example of a successful enterprise with 50% foreign workforce is NASA.
uts
April 14, 2009, 11:34pm (report abuse)i agree. PHD in STEM is very hard to get in USA. This requires lot of dedication and frustration. I agree to this. This bill should be passed ASAP.
PhD Student
April 15, 2009, 10:00pm (report abuse)US has long relied on research and development in various fields for economic advancement. PhD students have worked really hard to make such profitability possible. They are like work horses demanding nothing in return except for a paltry pay. Post-Docs also work very hard for a pay much less meagre to an H1B employee in the tech field. If not pay more at least providing an uncapped H1 or a green card may benefit the US economy by retaining these highly talented group of people. There is no reason to believe that foreign PhDs will compete for average American jobs. Moreover the number of foreign PhDs is only a couple of thousands as there are limited seats and most programs are highly competitive and labour intensive. And so it is very unlikely that this bill if passed will be abused in the future.
Penelope Clayton-Smith
April 17, 2009, 4:27pm (report abuse)i have been a technical recruiter for almost three decades. The number of Ph.Ds that graduate from our universities have continued to climb every year while the sciences have continued to need personnel.
This is a valuable bill and a fair one. Every year we receive the best and the brightest the world has to offer. Every year we educate these people and then we don't hire them. They leave the US and become our competition.
I think the rigors of a US doctorate program is akin to serving this nation. I believe that we need them in this country.
I support this bill
No employer troubles to sponsor
April 17, 2009, 5:22pm (report abuse)PhDs are usually hired with a high rank title and no employer wants to sponsor them for H1B application at such hard time. The best choice for them will be go back their home country, where they wont care about the visa. Who wants to accept a merely paid job after 4-8 years PhD trainings?
Do you? I do not!!!
American Citizen
April 17, 2009, 7:52pm (report abuse)phD's are an asset to our country. I would support this bill. My husband did his phD and he was paid very less while he was doing his phD. Graduating phD is not that easy and I dont think the bill will be abused.
I think it should be independent of the Job as well so that an employer is not abusing. I have seen so many immigrants get abused by the employers. Managers make them run around because of immigration. Its my reuqest to citizens of this country to support this bill. Imigration is an essential part of America. Times are tough now and I dont think we can lose the best of the world. The previous adminitration has done enough damages to this country. I think we need to think out of the box
Flk
April 17, 2009, 10:41pm (report abuse)Why just these PHDs? Other PHDs are just as important.
New Doctorate Student
April 18, 2009, 2:51am (report abuse)This bill is a move in the right direction for USA and International Doctorate Students graduating from US universities. For most part, doctoral candidates are funded by generous tax payers & US companies.Bottomline is, I feel immense gratitude to America for the opportunity. Selection for doctoral programs in itself is exceptionally rigorous; only the best out of the best make it to US doctoral programs. Not all students want to stay on in the USA after their Phds, but a large number want to, especially in the fields this bill is proposed for. Why? Simply because the best facilities and funding for cutting edge research in these fields are in USA. Only in USA do they pioneer the most interesting research, many of which have benefits to all of mankind, not just Americans. As such, giving these Phds the option to stay on in USA is a win-win situation. Phd holders are happy they can choose to stay on and work on more research, while USA gets to keep top quality scientists in the country!
Phds won't save America
April 18, 2009, 10:29pm (report abuse)We do not need PhDs. We need people who can invent financial derivatives, tools to absorb money from the world. Just kick back those PhDs to China, India. Who cares! Even if they have already built their own space shuttle, space station, GPS, 3G cellular, even if they already built Gbs fiber networks to families, even if they already built and sold more cars than the US, who cares! They make money but nowhere to spend it. We have strong Wall Street, we can force them to give back the money to our Treasury Bond, Bill, Note. We can buy everything by loaning money and enjoy the Caribbean Cruise, while those PhDs are working day and night with just 1/10 our salary. We don't need those loser PhDs!
Netizen
April 19, 2009, 9:23am (report abuse)Every year, American Universities invest a huge amount of money to train the best talents in the world who came here after the most rigorous screening and competition. They hold the latest technologies that resulted from funding contributed by American tax payers. It is a significant loss to the US to let these people go to elsewhere. Countries throughout the world like Australia, Canada, Singapore, Germany.. have tried their best to retain the talents that are trained in their universities while every year we let thousands of these talents become our competitors elsewhere. The qualities of our PhD candidates are even at a higher level. I strongly support this bill as it will be a win-win situation, both for our nation and to the international PhDs who may want to stay here to contribute to the advancement of sciences and technology for the benefit of mankind at whole.
RS - Indian PhD
April 19, 2009, 12:50pm (report abuse)I came here in 2000 to do a PhD in Structural Engineering & Mechanics and completed it in 2005. Applied for a Green Card in EB2 category, but the wait time for Indian & Chinese is enormous a minimum of 5-6 years. I have some ideas and would like to start business but the H1-B visa category doesn't allow and makes it very restricted.
If this bill passes it will be very helpful.
Undergrad student
April 20, 2009, 2:01pm (report abuse)I think this is a great bill. It should pass as early as possible. America is country of immigrants who got chance to explore themselves and with all their efforts we have reached at this height.
Student
April 20, 2009, 2:03pm (report abuse)I think this bill should pass as early as possible in current economy.
American Thinker
April 20, 2009, 4:07pm (report abuse)It depends if USA Immigration what quality of people the population of USA must contain.
I believe education is best source of knowledge for development, teaching and economy at this time.
A PhD is hard to get and need hard work. And only if 2000- 3000 people with PhDs is getting it, its worth it than giving Green Cards to people who have no education and advancement skills.
Yes, I am for it and must be bound by time for example 10 years or 15 years only, until our economy improves.
Raj Sevak
April 21, 2009, 10:22am (report abuse)I have spent 5 rigorous 70 hours/week low-paying years to achieve the honors of Ph.D. in psychopharmacology. It requires a strong dedication and hard work to reach this pinnacle of academic honor. The group of highly qualified Ph.Ds in science and technology can, if anything, be a great asset to the USA. In the context of current economy, this bill presents a win-win situation for the US and foreigners graduating with Ph.D. from a US institution. I wholeheartedly wish and pray that this bill passes.
Paresh Shah
April 21, 2009, 10:51am (report abuse)People opposing must think, that there are hardly 2000-3000 PhD graduating students in USA in a year.
Out of this only about 1500-1700 are internationals.
Giving 1500-1700 green cards to these international creamy educated layer to stay in USA is far far better.
USA gives out 50000 Green cards per year via lottery system to underdeveloped world including people of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia, Palastine, Nepal, Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,africans, mexicans and south americans.
In the world of terror, some of these countries are dangerous to USA. STOP all countries who give green signal to terror against USA.
Give green cards to PhDs and stop Green Cards to people of countries who we see buring flags of USA.
..
April 21, 2009, 11:17am (report abuse)PhD = Piled Higher and Deeper
So why would we want to import a pile?
Patrick
April 22, 2009, 8:22pm (report abuse)I think PhDs should indeed be granted green cards through the staple program. If the bill passes, then it would rank among the best moves made by America in preserving true talent in the land of opportunities. If the bill does not go through in its current form, what is the alternative?
My alternative suggestion would be to leave the current H1 program for individuals with US phd degrees "AS IS" with all its current restrictions and procedures. However, at the end of the H1 term (which would be after 5-6 years, assuming they maintain their employment status during their H1 term, as required by the H1 visa program) these individuals with phds should automatically be granted permanent residency (or green card status). In the meantime these individuals would have significantly contributed to advances in STEM areas in US. If these individuals have to switch fields midway, then they can have the option of applying for green card through the regular route.
SV
April 22, 2009, 8:30pm (report abuse)I have a PhD in biology but had to settle for a low paying job in a non-profit company because of H1B quota limitations. I do research on drug discovery for colon cancer. I am the derivative on my spouse's green card application (EB3) which is pending for 5 years now. This bill will greatly help me because I can work for a company with cutting edge facilities which in turn will help me find better drugs which is beneficial to all.
Victor
April 22, 2009, 8:38pm (report abuse)I totally agree with Mr. Paresh Shah's post. It is a MUST READ for all (especially for men/women in congress).
..
April 23, 2009, 2:21pm (report abuse)Mr Paresh Shah sounds a bit racist and elitist when he says "USA gives out 50000 Green cards per year via lottery system to underdeveloped world including people of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia, Palastine, Nepal, Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,africans, mexicans and south americans." Perhaps he doesn't really want to be a part of the U.S. but just wants the benefits he would gain.
SM
April 25, 2009, 2:41pm (report abuse).. or whatever you're called. Your interpretation of the term PhD degree doesn't have much distinction from that of a high-school dropout, who fails to understand the implications an issue can have on the future of USA, at least in the area of research and development. Issuing permanent residency permits to PhD holders is an excellent step in promoting meaningful and productive immigration. These people have the potential to contribute to the economy and R&D to a great extent. There is already plenty of great ethnic diversity in US and it doesn't make much sense to grant PRs through lottery system except on humanitarian grounds.
Vic George
April 26, 2009, 9:25am (report abuse)I have been funded the past 7 years of PhD and MS through National Science Foundation, US Air force and US Navy. That is TAX money. How many of American citizens know that? 3*12000 + 4*18000 was invested by US citizens over my education. I am from Asia and I am going back to my country. I would like to stay here not because of any American dreams, but because (1) I want to see how it is applied in industry (2) As an Asian I'll be forever OBLIGATED to the country who hosted me and shaped me on their own people's expense. I feel this is a good law if executed. The point is American citizens must be aware of how much money they are investing on the international students for them to come and study here and they would feel a need for us also. There is a irresponsible assumption that many of the critics which is based on mixing illegal immigrants and those who come here working hard through the US consulates to have good education.
..
April 26, 2009, 7:22pm (report abuse)SM,
Sorry but having a PhD does not necessarily indicate intelligence. If you doubt that spend some time at any educational institution in this country. And as far as I am concerned EVERY alien can stay home. That will give U.S. citizens some opportunity to control the future of this country.
Answer to SM
April 27, 2009, 4:54am (report abuse)I think this comment by SM shows great ignorance. If every alien had stayed home for the last few hundred years, the native americans would be the only people in USA right now! Do not forget that your grandparents,great grandparents and their parents all were immigrants who came to this land to seek a future for themselves and their children. Aliens are not that "alien" to USA. It is a land built on the hardwork of immigrants. Albert Einstein arguably the greatest brain in science, was an immigrant! Closing the door on immigrants is not going to help USA or its people. Immigrants have and will continue to contribute to the diversity and wealth of this great nation. Thank God most americans are wise and now USA has got a superb president! I also feel that giving a few thousand greencards a year to phd holders who can contribute in cutting edge research that benefits usa and the world is a good move. After all that investment in foreign phd students, it makes sense to allow them to stay.
Andrew King
April 27, 2009, 11:39am (report abuse)SM - had you been in a company of a Phd or known how to achieve a Phd, your comment would not be ignorrant as you posted it.
Phd help research for USA to edge over other countries in the world.
Dont you want to live in a first top research country? or want to live in swine flu or mafia border areas like Mexico?
I am for granding green cards for Phd to live in USA and make USA proud.
SM
April 28, 2009, 12:22am (report abuse)I've addressed 2 points in my previous comments. First, I'm in favor of granting PR permits to PhD holders as they have potential to contribute a lot to the country. Second, I'm against granting them through lottery system to nationals of under represented nations to promote ethnic diversity.
Andrew-your ignorance about the subject seems to be the reason for lack of discernment.
..-Yes having a PhD doesn't guarantee intelligence, but they are more likely to contribute to this country than a bunch poorly educated people.
Answer to SM - Your comments oozes foolishness. I've never said close doors for immigration. The need of the hour is to have meaningful immigration by giving priority to people who are smart and productive. Read the comments carefully before you rant.
Vic-I couldn't agree more with you on the issue of mixing illegals with legals.
Zinj
(logged in user) April 28, 2009, 7:02pm (report abuse)It is my opinion that giving PR to STEM PhD holders would be a good idea. The immense contribution to the economy of this country by such highly educated individuals will greatly enhance the competitiveness of the US. The current situation whereby people with PhD's and H1Bs only work for 6 years is untenable for the future prosperity of the US. In fact, Canada is debating the possibility of offering H1Bs direct permanent residency. The argument being that H1B holders have vast experience in the US which would greatly help Canada. So, if the US is unwilling to offer PR to highly qualified people (who have been trained with US funds) then Canada is ready to take them. This is a smart move for Canada, but I believe its time the US got smarter and offered those green cards to PhD holders.
Zinj
(logged in user) April 28, 2009, 7:14pm (report abuse)Given that congress is rarely favorable to passing immigration bills, what are the chances that HR1791 will pass?
This bill has no cosponsors!!!!
Netizen
April 30, 2009, 5:15am (report abuse)It is ridiculous that the US give away 50,000 green cards to people from under-represented countries like Somali, Bangladesh, Siri Lanka by a lottery draw (which means any Tom Dicks and Harry who are unskilled or unemployed even in their home country can be chosen) while turning away highly qualified PhD who holds latest technology of this country.
phd2006
April 30, 2009, 12:26pm (report abuse)I'm an H1B worker, PhD from a US univ (ranked 20~30). I don't know about other companies - mine definitely does not underpay me. I'm humbled by some other extremely smart H1B coworkers - major programs wouldn't be successful without them - and if they are "free" sooner, they would make great entrepreneurs and generates more jobs here. Let's face it - US is now not the "only" good place for a decent sci/eng job. Yes you can kick all foreign talents out of this country, keep the companies starving for talents, and overpay the limited pool of US-born scientists/engineers by 100% - what's gonna happen to those who got kicked out and go back to China or India? Probably work for competing companies, or even start their own. What's gonna happen to US companies, and their employees then? Just imagine kicking Einstein back to Germany, Bohr to Denmark, Fermi to Italy ... or keep them waiting for years and years. We are probably far less intelligent than them - but there are thousands of us.
Alex Travis
April 30, 2009, 4:41pm (report abuse)US give away 50,000 green cards per year (repeat 50,000 green cards per year) to people from countries who hate USA and burn their flags. These countries include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middle East, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc etc.
Instead of giving 50000 per year and make a mess in USA for jobs and economy, give 1500 Green Cards per year to USA Uniersity and studied Phd Graduates to do research and stay here.
Kishore
May 3, 2009, 9:48pm (report abuse)I hope this bill passes and gets approved. For those who oppose the bill..just think practical than being dismissal by thinking they are going to take away American jobs.
Most of these guys spend around 6-7 years to finish their PhD studies supported by the research grant moneys by American national institutes. If you let these guys go home they are going with all the knowledge and talent. They will help businesses out side USA and there is going to be more out sourcing.
HR
May 4, 2009, 2:29pm (report abuse)One might argue that there is an EB1 green card category for people with Ph.D degrees and hence there is no need for this bill. However, the requirements to qualify for EB1 category are very vague and one would qualify only if he or she is a Nobel Laurette. Hence,
this bill is important. These Ph.D's are the cream of the international students coming to this country and getting educated through scholarships/fellowships/funding from research and science foundations ( American tax payer money). The world has gotten flat now and there is no dearth of opportunities in other countries for these talented individuals. It would be a shame if all the money spent on their education would be used to the advantage of some other country. Science needs to be restored to its place in American society and this bill is good step towards that.
Hope democrats are hearing this
May 4, 2009, 5:54pm (report abuse)Imagine which countries are going to be the biggest markets and economic growth in the coming years...China and India. Lets assume for a minute that they are not good economies BUT STILL they have huge markets. IT IS USA that benefits by keeping indian or chinese phds
1. They understand the culture and people and can help designing, selling products or services.
2. The best brains from China and India come to US. Who gains and who looses.
3. India would soon kill to keep IIT grads, Europe give the IIT grads special visas and Permanent residency.
4. US spends around 22,000/year that is 132,000 for 6 years to train a PhD ( that is not including the tuition and med). Send them back and you are paying to train Indian and Chinese competition.
5. And lastly on a personal note..DO YOU THINK THAT IF I WAS IN FOR THE EASY MONEY I WOULD SPEND 6 YRS IN A LAB, when I could be an Analyst at Deutsche Bank
IQ 150
May 12, 2009, 2:41pm (report abuse)Just a different perspective. Have a look at the technical companies based in USA. Most of the founder's are PhDs and that to international. If giving green card to 1500 PhDs in a year even if 2% (30) successfully start their own companies the number of people employed by them will definitely more than 1500.
So more jobs will be created. Think beyond average.
Braveheart!
May 13, 2009, 11:37am (report abuse)I totally agree with with IQ 150.
More jobs will be created. Think beyond average.
IQ151
May 13, 2009, 4:15pm (report abuse)EB1 green card category for people with Ph.D degrees and hence there is no need for this bill. If they relax the criteria FOR EB1-1 AND EB1-2. (THEY SHOULD BE WITH OUT EMPLOYER LIKE EB1-1). Then we don’t have to go through this bill. Please make sure every one who completed Ph.D should fit in to EB1-1. Second, EB-1-1 is so complicated now days, some people got approved EB1-1 with one publication. Some people got rejected even if they have four to five US patens and several publications on their name. EB1-1 SHOULD BE FELXIBLE TO FIT IN TO every one so we don’t need this bill. If EB1-1 has got relaxed we don’t even need EB1-2.Please stress on to it.
2cents
May 13, 2009, 5:18pm (report abuse)More than H1B cap or green card, there is a more acute issue that is facing foreign-born, US trained PhDs in STEM: that of technology alert list (TAL). Due to this clause, a PhD employed in the US who goes to his/her native country to get H1B visa stamped for the first time has to wait for 3-6 months to get the visa, until the State Department clears the papers and declares that the person is not a threat to national security. This results in loss of productivity for US companies and uncertainity for the highly skilled worker. A more efficient way would be to screen the candidate's credentials while the initial visa application is made to Homeland Security and while the candidate is still in the US. Hopefully someone will wake up to this issue.
My 2cents as well
May 16, 2009, 2:21pm (report abuse)Once the comprehensive immigration bill comes to the senate! Would you rather that illegal immigrants pay their taxes and get a citizenship or give it legal PhDs?
My Take --- Every PhD job requires a few MS/BS to work for them, so that might increase opportunity for American grads as well. Second of all, its tough to get into PhD program (Read only the smart few from around the world) at an American univ in the first place. PhD graduates would be the smartest of the smartest.
I say its a great deal for the US and the PhDs considering the # of patents filed by international PhDs.
EB1- Makes no sense
May 17, 2009, 12:41pm (report abuse)I really like this bill for personal reasons. I have a PhD from US and doing well in my field leading to high impact on health and well being of Americans. I am currently going through the HORROR of the greencard process- the bureaucracy, the uncertainty and the idiotic EB1 justification. This process is very discouraging for someone wanting to give back to the world from here.
I started on less than $10000 per year during PhD. I was as motivated as I can be. I had a passion and sense of pride. Today, I earn more than 12 times of that. I still carry that passion to my work.
But I never felt like a sucker than the way I felt while filling out an EB1 application.
Even if this bill does not make PhDs automatically eligible (would be ideal though) for permanent residency, a reform of the current horrific process would take the US long way ahead. Everyone says that greencard application is your luck- for me, if I am unlucky, it is not tough to say- Good bye America!
EB1- Makes no sense- follow up
May 17, 2009, 12:49pm (report abuse)....I agree with IQ151 on changing the process than the having this new bill.
Take the uncertainty out of the current process and let the talent do their work.
EB1-EA should be more relaxed (or) EB1-OR should be self petitionable
May 17, 2009, 11:28pm (report abuse)I think the EB1-EA should be more relaxed. I am trying to apply for it on my own. I have reasonable publication, citation, patents, book chapters in less than 3 yrs of my Phd. But I am still not confident in getting through it, because of hte rules and the horror stories of RFE (Request of further evidence). The main problem is that hte rules are vague and subjective and we do not have any idea of how the INS officer is going to judge your work and its importance. The only sure shot in EB1-EA is if you have a Nobel Prize already. Or atleast be in a Nobel committee. I wonder why "a Nobel Laureate" have to come to the US to prove himself/herself. The rules are funny. Hope they get through this bill or have a bit more relaxed rules for the EB1-EA or make the EB1-OR self-petitionable like the EB1-EA.
I totally agree
May 18, 2009, 10:57am (report abuse)I tottally agree t0 the above person.EB1-1 or EB1-2, SHOULD BE RELAXED TO FIT EVERY pH.D with minumum publication. shoul bnot be Noble winner.Experts Please Please work on this
commenting here will not help
May 18, 2009, 8:26pm (report abuse)are you folks ready to unite. We can start a movement with local congressmen including letters to the senate.
how about organizing it?
bobby
May 19, 2009, 7:16am (report abuse)A bill like this will never be passed as US PhD population is extremely negligible and won't gather enough support to convince the congress man and woman. Perhaps nowsaday US PhD holders don't even bother about the greencard and even to stay and work in USA any more as they have so many opportunities elsewhere. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK are open their arms to welcome them. Even China nowsaday can also attract many PhD holders back to fuel their fast development process. US simply lost its attractiveness and no longer be the magnet of immigrants, including talented PhD holders. Nowsaday, Ask any PhD student about to graduate in US if he/she will stay back and work in the country and you will not be surprised to hear the majority respond: Maybe not!
We should Unite
May 20, 2009, 8:23pm (report abuse)We should unite and start a movement.
No response
May 20, 2009, 9:20pm (report abuse)I sent emails to Rep. Flake (who introduced the bill) and my local congressman- No response! Wonder if this is a political gimmick.
Unite, like the procrastinators do
May 21, 2009, 3:56pm (report abuse)I doubt if any of you guys have thought on how the quality of PhD studies will drop down based on this. People will be flocking into US, not to have a PhD because they want to pursue that, but because it is an automatic green card after PhD. People will start seeing this as a PR program, rather than grad school. Having more applicants for PhD program is not going to make the field competitive, it will be tougher since you will not be able to identify the bad apples (the ones who solely seek the PR opportunity). Grad program coordinators and Int'l student offices will not like this, heck any faculty member with some logic will hate this.
The quality of PhD studies will go down drastically.
Good2Act
May 21, 2009, 8:19pm (report abuse)I support proposals of uniting and taking action.
I pay taxes and I would like to have a way to express my support for this bill, just don't know how to convey my support to politicians. How many of us do? Who are the concerned representatives for these issues in Obama administration? Who would be a good senator to contact in GOP?
Would be good to act and would be nice if those who know can educate others and garner support for this bill.
p.s. - those who are suspecting that credibility of PhD programs in STEM will dilute are ignorant of the hardships of actually GETTING a PhD by doing mind numbing research work nights after nights for 6-7 years. Have faith in US education and research system, it is the BEST and will remain so despite of a bill making life easier AFTER PhD.
Response to above "Unite, like the procrastinators do"
May 22, 2009, 10:31am (report abuse)I doubt that the quality of PhD will reduce. Sure, there will be more enrollment in PhD programs, but the professors in your PhD committee are no fools. They dont hand out PhDs in STEM just because you enrolled in the Program. Just try clearing the qualifier exam in the first 2 years (not the proposal kind)..open exam. Then Do research for 3-4yrs.
Enrollment also depends on funding situation. Unless professor has funding he will not try to get a PhD student (atleast most of them I know).
By the way stapling GC to PhD degree does not literally mean he/she will get it after PhD. I am sure it will come with lots of strings attached - so many papers have to be published by the end of your phd, may be helped to get future funding, patents etc
It is just that the current system - does not have a measuring scale. the only measuring scale that the USCIS use to gauge a PhD is "Nobel Prize". I am sure 98-99% of PhD's are not meant to get Nobel Prize, but the 98-99% are the ones (Continued)
Response to above "Unite, like the procrastinators do" part 2
May 22, 2009, 10:36am (report abuse)I am sure 98-99% of PhD's are not meant to get Nobel Prize (especially after graduating), even the nobel winners are not recognized until very late in their career (almost retiring age), but the 98-99% are the ones to do greater (Volume and quality wise)path breaking research oriented towards economy, military and other national needs.
All that is said here is that, it will relieve the stress on the deserving PhD's to actually concentrate on research rather than their visa status. It will help, but the law also has to have a set of defined conditions.
Response to the response to the response to th
May 22, 2009, 1:06pm (report abuse)I am (was) an international student during my school years, had several papers published, got decent number of citations, won two awards and that was good enough for my EB-1 Green Card. Nobody is really asking for Nobel Prize for the EB-1 GC. It is just given as an example. If you have one or two national awards, that should suffice. Of course the definition is too vague, but you do not have to be a Nobel Laurate to get it, that is what I am trying to say.
I do agree that enrolling into the program is not gonna grant the PR, but thinking that all the colleges/departments in the US work in the same way is too naive. I have seen a lot of the rules being exploited to the benefit of the professors, a lot of professors trying to get students without proper funds, professors preferring self-financed students so they dont have to pay (yeah it sux, i agree). With those bad apples among the faculty, I believe this opportunity will be abused, afterall the grad school here is not that flawless.
resposne to above
May 22, 2009, 4:56pm (report abuse)Interesting to note that the professors trying to get students without proper funds. May be I was the lucky few to not have worked among them. I have seen professors get students from countries who sponsor them (Thailand govt fellowship) etc, but not like what you have mentioned. May be that is the case since I have not seen such a case in my mid-rung university. Most of my fellow PhD students had funding from atleast 2nd semester till they graduated. (Atleast 30-50 I know of)
Well, my point in the previous post was that EB1-EA is a category that your employer does not want to file at any cost because they always say "It is for People with Nobel Prize" and have a smirk on their face. This by the way happened in the Oldest National Laboratory in the US.
I believe that EB1-OR should be made self-petitionable like EB1-EA . If that happens i believe most PhD's will be satisfied and can apply with their pure qualifications like in Candian or AusPR rather than a Well Marketable Lawyer
I AGREE ABOVE ONE
May 23, 2009, 12:59am (report abuse)EB1-OR should be made self-Petitionable like EB1-EA .This is great idea, everyone should vote for this and some one can met congrees men to fight for this. or most of the Talents will go to CANADA, since they areREADY TO INVITE US TRAINED Young talented Ph.D's
Another International Ph.D. student
May 23, 2009, 11:23pm (report abuse)I support this bill, not only because it will benefit me, but because it makes things fair for American taxpayers, who are indirectly paying for my graduate education.
Also, I disagree with the view that the quality of Ph.D. studies will decrease. This bill will actually increase competition for admission into graduate programs. Actually, most foreign students prefer to get a Master's degree and go for an industry job just because a Ph.D. takes too long to complete. By creating this incentive for foreigners to go for a Ph.D., more students will decide to stay longer and contribute.
CBS 60 minutes
May 24, 2009, 12:26pm (report abuse)Someone here can perhaps take the initiative to call up CBS and ask them to do a little segment on the state of affairs with PhDs in STEM areas and the risks of inaction. Hopefully the media can stir up more awareness in the general public about the seriousness of immigration issues concerning PhDs.
CBS website
May 24, 2009, 3:18pm (report abuse)There is a feedback form on the CBS website that can be used. I am sure there are other news websites that may have direct email contact. on CBS i did not find an email id. I know they did a segment on IIT in the past. They may be interested if it brings in enough support. Can someone volunteer to write up a two page report with facts on how the US trained PhD's are leaving US because of the immigration issue. links on websites discussing the issue (may be this site and others that might be of interest). We can collect all the info and put it together in that feedback form. I can do the collecting part and chip in with ideas on what can go in it. Any more hands raised for this cause?
CBS 60 minutes
May 24, 2009, 6:20pm (report abuse)Thanks "CBS website" for the info. We certainly need more hands raised for this cause. Leslie Stahl's 60 minutes segment on IIT did indeed generate a lot of awareness about IIT! To get things started, I created a blog called "Help Phds Help America" (link http://cyberspacestation.blogspot.com/ ), where interested people can perhaps provide comments/feedback (see the post on "Phds: share your experiences and raise public awareness"). Perhaps people's feedback through this channel can be used to put together some facts and personal experiences in order draw attention from CNN, CBS, NYTimes etc.
Also, the Phd community can perhaps compile a draft version of the report that "CBS website" suggested. Someone can take the initiative in identifying the structure of the report (which is agreeable to most of us) and each individual can post a couple of lines of text/views to build the document (and continue to provide suggestions).
To CBS 60 minutes
May 25, 2009, 9:04am (report abuse)Thanks a lot for starting a blog. I support this bill a 100% and yes we need to bring more awareness about this issue. I have sent Rep Flake a supporting letter, also would like to help in any way I can.
I pretty much use this http://cyberspacestation.blogspot.com as a template
To CBS 60 Minutes
May 25, 2009, 9:08am (report abuse)Sorry this link http://www.acip.com/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?285:361:a220fb26af6ae1969da097db93b373...
International Student
May 25, 2009, 12:09pm (report abuse)I think this is a good bill. At our Chemical Engineering Department here are among roughly 15 PhD students per year only 1-3 Americans. So there is a lot of money spent on training foreigners. Don't get me wrong, I like to get paid. But in my country (European) no state would pay to educate foreigners, without trying to get some more money (meaning taxes) back from them.
Wellwisher
May 25, 2009, 3:29pm (report abuse)On of the most helpful law for skilled students.
I wish the respective officers should pass this law as soon as possible.
Please this law should be permanent and lifetime irrespective of party of president.
I wish THE GOD and respective immigration chief officers to pass this law permanently.
Thank you for putting this forum.
PhD
June 3, 2009, 4:56pm (report abuse)It is annoying and frustrating when I have to stand in line in the EB2 category with IT engineers and managers (who are trained monkeys from other engineering fields anyway) with an outstretched hand for a green card. Regardless of your degree...if you have passion for your work and you are not appreciated, you will go somewhere else where you are appreciated more than a bunch of trained software engineers.
Joel
June 3, 2009, 5:25pm (report abuse)Past few years these IT companies have been really abusing H-1 quota. In fact they have targetted "special quota" meant mainly for PhDs. Due to this most of the PhDs don't get an opportunity to work (since no work permits are left). It does not matter if this bill is passed or not but at least USCIS should make sure the H-1 quota is not abused, i.e., the special quota must be set asides only for PhDs. Given this all PhDS will be able to work and they (or their employers) can file for GC as usual if they would like to continue working and staying in USA and if not they can return back to their motherland whenever they wish to. To recapitulate, unless USCIS takes initives towards this special quota I believe passing this bill would be very helpful to all the PhDs. Passing this bill would certainly benefits all the PhDS for then they don't need to go through many problems.
Reply to post above "PhD"- Respect others man.
June 3, 2009, 5:39pm (report abuse)Dude...it is a right thing to ask for a waiver for holding a PhD to get green card faster....but in the process do not degrade what others do in their profession. Just because they chose to join the IT field and thought that it is an easy way to reach the top and earn lots of money quickly does not mean their intentions to stay and work in the country is wrong and useless.
First of all not everyone is cut out for a Phd, As a PhD holder myself, I would definitely ask for faster GC for us than others in EB2 category because some of the higher end and newer technology requires us. But i would put it in that way rather than degrading others to look better. I do agree to only this section of the last line "if you have passion for your work and you are not appreciated, you will go somewhere else where you are appreciated"...the US govt should realize it man..not other people who apply
Jena McNeil may help
June 5, 2009, 1:55am (report abuse)Please send your comments to Jena McNeil and request her to cover this bill. Jena's progressive and positive views on comprehensive Homeland Security and Immigrations Reforms are highly valued. I am certain she will instantly identify merits of the H.R.1791 STAPLES bill and remind the Obama administration to act on it in the spirit of true change. Even if the bill is initiated from the other side of the Aile.
http://www.heritage.org/about/staff/JenaMcNeill.cfm
To Jane McNeil
June 8, 2009, 2:39pm (report abuse)Thanks for suggesting to send comments to the Heritage Foundation. I could not find the contact information of Jena McNeil, but I sent a message to the Public Relations contact (matthew.streit@heritage.org
) via an email. Please let me and other supporters know if there is more that can be done to bring the bill to the next level. Thanks.
US_PHD
June 8, 2009, 8:54pm (report abuse)I am completely supportive of this bill....Unlike the H1-B visa, which has traditionally been abused, immigrant PhD holders have a much more legitimate claim on having furthered this country's technology frontiers....Most of the professionals I encounter in my daily life are from the skilled immigrant community.. These people would go elsewhere if protectionist legislation is introduced instead of keeping USA a truly capitalist market where one is rewarded for one's skill and intelligence.There are already several countries in the Western world which are exploiting the rigid US immigration laws to attract talent away from this country...Canada and Australia are notable examples..This kind of reform should not even be up for debate..the very competitiveness of this country is at stake...
Meeting with local congressman/his advisor
June 9, 2009, 4:25pm (report abuse)I sent an email to my local congressman (MD 3rd district). His team is willing to meet with me soon.
Guys, here is one (more) chance to get support. Do you have any suggestions on how to approach? I am planning to prepare a factsheet for them and my rationale on why this should zip through the congress and senate. Any pointers on where to get started?
If not for the existing PhDs, let's help future PhDs. I am sure it will take a series of conversations before something substantial will happen.
Inputs for Factsheet
June 9, 2009, 11:17pm (report abuse)Nice initiative. Do you think that the following articles will help you prepare for your meeting:
http://www.murthy.com/news/n_phdcan.html
Heritage Foundation
June 9, 2009, 11:22pm (report abuse)staff@heritage.org
http://www.heritage.org/about/staff/JenaMcNeill.cfm