International student enrollment at US colleges has declined in the past five years.
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The Biden administration rolled out new immigration policies that will make it a little easier for international science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students to study and work in the US. The loosening of rules was cheered on by business groups, which have argued that more immigration could help cool inflation and address the severe worker shortage.
The biggest change made yesterday adds 22 new fields—including data science and financial analytics—under the STEM umbrella, a designation that lets students work in the US for three years after they graduate rather than the one afforded to other international students.
Zoom out: Over the last five years, international student enrollment at US colleges has declined, in part because those students are choosing to study in other English-speaking countries like the UK and Canada—where a degree costs less, the path to becoming a citizen is clearer, and your queen rocks cool hats.
That’s a concerning trend since immigrants, specifically in the sciences, well…they get the job done.
- International students on temporary visas account for more than 50% of US doctoral degrees in economics, computer sciences, engineering, and math and statistics, per the National Science Board.
- But China is gaining fast and is set to pass the US as the country that generates the most STEM doctorate graduates.
Looking ahead…the most impactful changes to immigration policy, such as making more visas available or expanding eligibility, are up to Congress to make.—JW
