Congress·In Committee·H.R. 2627

Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025

Rep. Foster Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Give Green Cards to International STEM Graduates

12 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

The Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced and sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

International students who earn a master's degree or higher in a STEM field from a U.S. college could get a green card without being subject to the usual yearly caps on immigration visas. STEM fields covered include computer science, engineering, math, biology, physical sciences, and agriculture sciences.
To qualify, graduates must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in their field of study, and the job must pay more than the median wage for that type of work in that area. This wage floor is designed to prevent employers from using the program to undercut local workers' pay.
From policy text
“have an offer of employment from, or are employed by, a United States employer to perform work that is directly related to such degree at a rate of pay that is higher than the median wage level for the occupational classification in the area of employment, as determined by the Secretary of Labor”
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The bill introduces "dual intent" for STEM graduate students, meaning they can apply for a student visa even if they plan to stay in the U.S. permanently. Currently, F-1 student visa holders generally must show they intend to return to their home country.
The bill requires strengthened vetting for these students, including verification of academic credentials, comprehensive background checks, and interviews equivalent to those required of applicants from outside the U.S.
From policy text
“Such procedures shall ensure that such aliens seeking admission from within the United States undergo verification of academic credentials, comprehensive background checks, and interviews in a manner equivalent to that of an alien seeking admission from outside of the United States.”
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Spouses and children of qualifying STEM graduates would also receive green cards under this program, allowing families to stay together in the U.S. without separate visa petitions.
From policy text
“are the spouses and children of aliens described in subclauses (I) through (III) who are accompanying or following to join such aliens.”
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The bill requires annual reports to Congress on visa application volumes, processing times, security outcomes, and economic impacts to track whether the program is working as intended.
From policy text
“The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives detailing the implementation and effectiveness of the requirement”
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ImmigrationEducationLabor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Apr 3, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles

Patch·12 months ago

Foster Co-Leads Bipartisan 'Keep STEM Talent Act' In Congress

Representatives Bill Foster and Mike Lawler announced the reintroduction of the Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025. The bill aims to provide a path to permanent residency for international students who earn advanced STEM degrees from U.S. universities and have job offers in their field of study.

New York Times·8 months ago

Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle.

This report details the tightening job market for computer science and engineering graduates. It provides context for the Keep STEM Talent Act's requirement that international graduates must secure high-paying job offers to qualify for the proposed direct path to permanent residency.

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Politico·11 months ago

Trump sends a scorched-earth budget plan. GOP lawmakers hate it already.

Coverage of the 2025 budget battle and immigration policy clashes. While focusing on broader spending cuts, the report notes the political friction surrounding bipartisan immigration proposals like the Keep STEM Talent Act as the administration pushes for more restrictive border measures.

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