Foreign STEM Graduate Students Should Indeed Be Given Green Cards - Essay Example

STEM fields are the academic fields that deal in of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the acronym has been in use mostly in regard to the issue of awarding of visas and green cards to foreign students. The following literature review aims at discussing the issue of whether, or not green cards should be given foreign students who perform well in STEM coursers so they may live and work in the United States. It will be based on the contents of three articles; the first by Ramsey Cox discussing the proposal of a bill to increase foreign STEM visas. The second article by Rodney Adkins addresses the need for America to have more students joining the STEM fields so the labor shortage in the field can be addressed. Finally, Aline McNaull discusses the passage of the bill to give green cards and some of the opposing views that were presented in the house. According to the article “Senators introduce immigration reform to increase STEM visas” the writer discusses a bill by a bipartisan group of senators, who want to modernize the STEM visa awarding system, and increase the number of students awarded. They argue that, legal migration is not only good for developing science and technology but it also creates employment making it good the economic growth in the long run (Cox). To illustrate this, the writer quotes, Rubio and Hatch who estimated that while over 120,000 jobs in computer engineering are created each year, less than 40,000 students graduate in the field in the same period. He argues that while it might seem unpatriotic to hire outsiders for the many jobs, it is the more logical choice since the vacancies are mostly in the private sector, as such; the choice is either America brings in engineers form outside or the firms will be forced to relocate abroad. He also claims that removing the cap on the number of STEM students who can be given visas will encourage American students to apply for the program because they former will facilitate for educational improvements. The points made herein are very practical and realistic, ultimately, restricting the entry of STEM students will force private firms to relocate in search of labor since the few in America will be insufficient and likely expensive. Secondly, the article by Rodney Adkin emphasizes the need for America to increase the number of STEM professionals, he decries the fact that only 5 percent of the workers in America are employed in science and engineering. Ironically this field is responsible for around 50 % of the economy, he sites, Sequoia; a super computer developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, with an extraordinary computing power, and which is the work of STEM professionals. For America to make such progress in a larger scale, it critical that students are motivated to pursue the STEM subjects, this can be done by creating and maintaining enthusiasm for science among school children from an early age. Like the first article, the writer is convinced that America cannot be competitive on the global and even local market without an investment in STEM professionals, their methods of achieving an increase in STEM however differ. Adkins solutions include, motivating children and ensuring that women and minority groups are encouraged to get into the programs, these solution albeit workable are long term and do not proved direct solutions in the near future. He does however mention that students from countries like China and Japan mostly study the STEM courses; this strengthens the assertion of the first article that we need to make use of foreign students by allowing them to live and work in the states. That way, with more professionals, the children Adkins wants to be inspired will have more mentors, and the foreign nationals will set the pace for Americas wishing to join the field in posterity. Finally, the article by Aline McNaull, discusses the debate that took place in the house as several members were opposed to the adoption of policy awarding green cards to foreign students who excel in the science related courses. Several of those who opposed the bill said it reduces the diversity of the green card lottery, further opposition was based on the fact the it would reduce African immigrants since the STEM students were mostly from Asia. However, the bill was passed and among the arguments presented in support was the fact that majority of the scientific inventions in America are done by technicians from the STEM fields. Consequently, the green cards for foreign STEM students would be good for the future economic development of America which is inseparable form science and engineering developments. Like the previous two articles, the third one recognizes that the STEM professionals are crucial to the development of the country’s technological infrastructure and economic growth, it evident that green cards for foreign nationals are the best short term solution. The house passed the proposed bill despite opposition because the majority realized that the by using the green cards to bring in professionals, they were doing securing and creating the jobs for many Americans. In conclusion, from the issues and facts examined herein, foreign STEM graduate students should indeed be given green cards since the population of professionals in the field is not enough to meet the needs of America’s economy. The information in the three articles helped me reach that conclusion since the first and third one show the issues that were considered from a legislative point of view, the second article provides insight from a STEM professional. From it, I was able to appreciate the define in the system and the need to fill it up as soon as possible, that way the argument for giving green cards seemed more logical and urgent. Works Cited Adkin, Rodney. “America Desperately Needs More STEM Students. Here's How to Get Them.” Forbes.2012. Web. Feb. 22, 2013< http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2012/07/09/america-desperately-needs-more-stem-students-heres-how-to-get-them/ > McNaull, Aline “STEM Visa Bill Passes House; Stopped in Senate” American Institute of Physics.2012. Web. Feb. 22, 2013. Cox, Ramsey “Senators introduce immigration reform to increase STEM visas” The Hill. 2013. Web. Feb. 22, 2013. Read More