The Keep STEM Graduates in America Act of 2024 aims to retain foreign students in the United States by making it easier for them to stay and work after completing science and technology degrees. The bill extends the optional practical training period for STEM graduates from 29 months to 48 months and increases the window to apply for this training from 60 days to 180 days. Additionally, it increases the number of H-1B specialty occupation visas available for STEM degree holders from 20,000 to 30,000 per fiscal year and directs the government to prioritize STEM graduates in the H-1B visa lottery system. The legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to implement these changes within 180 to 270 days of enactment, and federal agencies must report to Congress within one year on how well the law retains foreign STEM talent. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.