Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Foreign STEM Graduates




Here at Secaucus High School, we have what is known as the STEM Academy (aka Science & Math Academy...or the Math and Science Academy... depending on your preference.... kind of like which came first, the chicken or the egg...)

As the U.S. economy staggers out of recession, many see the growth of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, known collectively as STEM, to be crucial in keeping the United States competitive on the global stage.

In addition to facilitating the study of these fields among American youths, some STEM proponents argue that immigrants who come to the United States to learn about the sciences should be encouraged to stay here once they have graduated. They fear that otherwise, foreign STEM grads will take their skills and education to their home countries, costing America the opportunity for job-creating innovation. The STAPLE Act, which would grant immigrants who earn Ph.D.’s in STEM fields permanent residency and exempt them from immigrant quota limitations, is one initiative being proposed to keep foreign STEM graduates on U.S. soil in the hopes that they will create successful companies and more jobs for Americans.

Opponents say this and similar measures would have the opposite effect, taking jobs away from Americans and suppressing wages in the fields. In addition, many opponents feel that the over emphasis on STEM related subjects belittles the other equally academic fields in the Arts and Humanities.

Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies and author of The New Case Against Immigration, Both Legal and Illegal and How Obama is Transforming America Through Immigration, feels that the idea is a good one, as long as it's restricted to those receiving a Ph.D.  He stated:

""Staple a green card to every foreign STEM grad's diploma!" say the politicians and lobbyists. But the real question is, which foreign STEM graduates should get green cards?
Foreign students getting bachelor's degrees most certainly shouldn't, because that level of achievement is hardly special. Even the tech companies pushing for the "staple" legislation don't want that; Texas Instruments's human resources director testified before Congress last year that her firm doesn't sponsor foreign students with bachelor's degrees because there are plenty of Americans to choose from. In fact, there were in 2010 1.8 million Americans with engineering bachelor's degrees who were not working in engineering. And that's not all STEM fields—just engineering."

Dr. Norm Matloff, a professor of computer science at the University of California opposes this idea and any legislation that would promote this program.  Dr. Matloff wrote:

"Flooding the STEM labor market with foreign students produces stagnant wages. This disincentivizes many of our best and brightest young Americans who hold STEM degrees from seeking careers in the field; instead, they often pursue law or M.B.A. degrees. Reportedly 25 percent of Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineering graduates now go to Wall Street instead of launching careers in technology. Proponents of "staple a green card" proposals should worry about an internal brain drain in the United States."

Blog Topic Question:
Should foreign STEM graduates get green cards? If so, should it be restricted to only those that obtain a Ph.D in their field

70 comments:

  1. I believe that STEM graduates should not be granted green cards. I'm not saying that they cannot stay in this country, but i don't think they deserve any kind of special treatment because they came from another country. The reason most foreigners come to learn in the United States is to learn from top colleges and professors and take that knowledge with them back to their home country and maybe use it towards their home country's needs. If they want to stay, great, but they would have to go through all the citizen processes like every other immigrant. It really is not fair to the other immigrants that these "smarter" people get green cards, and the rest don't. In a way this is kind of like discrimination, if you want to take it to extremes. As a country, we are not like that, we believe in freedom and liberty, and under those characteristics it should be green cards for all or green cards for none, and I don't think the government would want to give every immigrant that comes to America a green card. So, in my opinion, the US should grant green cards to STEM graduates.

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    1. Hey ian good blog I'm a little confused because in the beginning you said they shouldn't be granted green cards but in the end you said they should can you clear this up.

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    2. I-an i agree with you on the side you are taking. We are letting people come into our country without evening making them go through their citizenship tests. Also, discrimination is a key factor in this argument and in my opinion, after connecting the dots, would cause conflicts. People that are "smart" should get green cards... NO WAY!!! We are all created equal right? Completely agree.

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    3. This may just be a typo but you stated they shouldn't get green cards in the beginning and should at the end. Besides that, I disagreed with your points that they shouldn't receive green cards. You say they should go through the process like others but the foreign STEM graduates have worked hard to reach their stage and should be rewarded. It shows they're sincerely dedicated as well.

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    4. Hi Ian, I liked your reasons but I have to say that I disagreed with most of them. Do you really think that foreign STEM students would come all the way to the US, which doesn't even have as high an education system as China, India, or some other countries, study here, and then go back just to pass on knowledge? Also, like Shivani mentioned, STEM students should especially be granted green cards because they have worked so hard to get to that point and they can really help our economy, which is suffering right now. Yes, I do see that you do not think it's fair for normal foreigners to wait for their green cards but STEM students to be granted right away, but you should realize that they really deserve it because they can create more jobs and they have done so much to stand where they are.

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    5. I-an I agree with your views. I liked how you incorporated that this is similar to discrimination, because it really is. These foreigners can possibly be trying to scam us, which is what I believe you were trying to say in the beginning of your post. They take the education from us and BRING it BACK to their countries for their needs. We could be educating the people of our land instead. Also, you contradicted yourself in the end, you have to pick a side buddy! I know its hard to decide, trust me.

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    6. Ian, I overall disagreed with your points. "Every other immigrant" has not achieved high standards of scholarship like the STEM students. These students are looking to enhance their futures, which will also benefit the nation and the world greatly. It is true that we believe in freedom and liberty, but the act of providing green cards to those STEM students who go after their Ph.D. will open new doors for the future.

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    7. I disagree because the STEM graduates are helping our thriving nation to become better and stronger. Also, normal foreigners have the ability to acquire a green card, but giving it to STEM graduates quicker is better because they have worked so hard to reach this point. STEM graduates will change our future and the least we could do is reward them with a green card.

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    8. Ian, I have to be honest and say I was confused and I'm not sure what your view point exactly is. I disagreed with what you said, from what I understood. STEM students help our nation thrive, so what's wrong with foreigners helping our nation.

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    9. Hey Ian, we actually had a similar point in our statements about how the STEM graduates should go and apply for green cards like other immigrants. But other than that, I liked how you brought up that we shouldn't treat the foreign people differently just because they are studying here.

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    10. This is pointed at Elijah, I never said they should get green cards, I was making a point in a government point of view. If read what I said before that, I said that is kind of discrimination. Which lead to me saying there should all or none. Sorry if it was misleading.

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    11. Ian I agree when you stated they would take it back to their home countries. Only those who plan on staying IN America should be allowed to take STEM-courses. -Tom Hindle

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  2. This is a very interesting topic that actually goes along with my jsa debate. Overall I believe that they should get green cards and should have the right to a good education. Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Gallileo, what do all of these people have in common? To start off they are extremely intelligent and made contributions to the STEM fields. The other thing is that they are not American born, they are from different countries. Now imagine we don't give these people green cards so they cant stay in the United States. We could be denying future Albert Einsteins who are looking to help and contribute to the fields of STEM. This also leads me to another point about how if an immigrant comes here wanting to get an education as a scientist or mathematician it must mean they are really smart. People are people and just because someone comes from a different country doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to stay here for there education. When immigration first became popular there was automatic citizenship so if a man or woman wanted to live here and get an education they were allowed to automatically. Getting back to the STEM topic like it said in the intro jobs involving STEM skills are on the rise so why not let people come here and work in those fields. It is a fact that if we were to give automatic citizenship it would produce 121,000 in the first year, so you cant really say they are taking our jobs. We as Americans always encourage people to come here and if immigrants want to pursue a good education in the STEM fields then we really should consider giving green cards to STEM graduates.

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    1. Don't you think it us unfair that some people get green cards basically for being smart? And isn't this a big security issue?? Otherwise you made really good arguments on how a lot of other jobs could be created.

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    2. Great points Elijah! I also feel they should receive green cards because they result beneficially to the economy overall. Your comparison with the well known scientists of history clarified your side and added a great summarization.

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    3. Elijah I feel that your blog was well written and I agree with many of your points. I do feel that allowing foreign STEM graduates to obtain green cards will augment the number of businesses and jobs for the United States because there is actual proof supporting this. I agree with your point that foreign STEM graduates can be the staple reason for contributions in the fields of math and science too. We have to look at this topic at the other side of the spectrum and take into the fact that the Unites States can be a rising national talent from the influx of these STEM students. I also agree on your points you made about the scientists because it provides a clear example of how even in the past this has showed signs of positive effects.

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    4. Hey abu honestly you know my opinion on this and illegal immigration in general and I want all immigrants to have citizenship but I didn't want to stray off topic because its mainly about STEM. Everyone man or woman deserves equality especially from an education stand point.

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    5. I like how you brought Galileo and other scientists into this. However, it doesn't really relate to foreign graduates being granted green cards because the green cards would be used for them to get out of the country and you are saying they should be able to leave the country. This woild not help our country from a STEM standpoint because they will be making contributions to OTHER countries, so they should not receive green cards and they should be forced to stay in America because we gave them their EDUCATION. That is the big thing here. They would be taking an American education and using it for foreign country's benefits.

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    6. I agree 100% with your opinion on giving foreign STEM graduates a green card. STEM graduates demonstrate great intellectual talent and as you said we could be denying future Albert Einstein's. The U.S. would greatly benefit economically with these graduates leading our future and growing the STEM field. Great Job!

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    7. Elijah, you brought up some points in your statement that I probably wouldn't even have thought of myself. I really like how you compared this situation to Einstein, Newton, and Galileo. However, although you had some strong arguments, I still disagree with your opinion. Green cards aren't something that should be given to just anyone, and they definitely shouldn't be automatically given to the thousands of foreign STEM students studying here. They should apply for green cards, the same way other people would.

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    8. Robert.... I think you are confused about what a "green card" is. A "green card" (called that because they are actually green) allows an individual to stay in the United States legally - it DOES NOT make them a citizen - that is a different process, but it is part of that process. The United States does not have policy that can FORCE anyone to stay in the US - that would fly against our idea of freedom.

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    9. One big thing I noticed, I'm pretty sure Galileo and newton had not practiced in the US, they made their theories and discoveries during the renaissance, which we learned in class. Thy had no idea what the US because it didn't even exist. I don't think green cards existed back then. That's really the only thing I wanted to point out from your blog. Make sure you look into things before you post them.

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  3. The STEM graduates shouldn't be granted a "stapled green card to their diploma" for many reason. First off, allowing any person who has a STEM graduate to live in our country poses a huge military threat. How would we know what these people are up to. Just because they are STEM graduates doesn't mean they can skip the whole process of applying and waiting for your green card to come in. A green card is not just a piece of paper that you can just throw away, its a permit allowing a foreign national to live and work permanently in the US. I don't think people just want to give those away. Additionally, we still allow the graduates to stay 29 months after their graduation and not much change has come forth to our economy in those years. Maybe they need more time to get their business to start running, but not every STEM student is going to form a world famous business. Also, we have many students who are graduating from the STEM Academy. What is the need to bring in foreign students and ASK for their help?! This will end up discouraging our students. The new act is a source of discrimination. Basically, we are giving students green cards for being "smart". This is really unfair for the other people that want to come into our country and could start inner conflicts. Their is no need to give foriegn students green cards because they are are STEM graduates and "smarter" than others.

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    1. I don't really agree with your points Abu...Do you know that for the foreign students like me who don't have American citizenship can't learn the confidential subjects such as Pharmacology and Military? And don't you think that letting those students to go back to their own countries could led more negative cause cos they can spread their knowledge there??

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    2. I honestly don't agree with the argument you made. I have to agree with Gemma on this one. People should equal chances for an education in the STEM field. Doing this makes us seem like a closed and oppresed country.

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    3. OK guys. Where in my argument did i say, "people shouldn't have equal education". I said that people shouldn't be given a green card for being a stem grad. NO WHERE did i say that in quote. Additionally, Gemma you said that, "letting those students to go back to their own countries could led more negative cause cos they can spread their knowledge there". That basically goes to my side and says that if students go back after their education they can spread there thoughts. but i want to say again Hava i never said what you are quoting me to.

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    4. Abu i strongly disagree with you because obtaining a PH.D is no easy task it takes numerous years of hard work to obtain one. So I beleive this proves their metal. I also did not understand your point of a military threat. So sorry Abu i strongly recommend you to reconsider and rethink your perspective.

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    5. Hey a-bu, I just want say I agree with you mostly. STEM graduates shouldn't get green cards. But when you said something about posing a military threat. I don't even get it. Usually people who go into STEM are not looking to cause havoc for extremists. There could be imposters but still, it really is kind of irrelevant.

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  4. To begin with, this blog post definitely had my thoughts dribbling in immediately. I believe that foreign STEM graduates SHOULD get green cards. Foreign STEM graduates are alleged to result beneficially to the economy. They depict as founders of various large companies. Studies show that engineering and technology companies with at least one foreign born founder lead to high rates of service and transactions. Besides, STEM related occupations prosper triple the amount compared to non-STEM related professions in the past years. Perfect examples would be Google, Yahoo!, and E-bay which are a few of the most popular industrial companies founded by foreign entities. Alongside, foreign STEM scholars are established to be “job manufacturers”. According to the American Enterprise Institute collaborated with the Partnership for a New American Economy discovered that approximately 100 workers that are born in foreign countries with STEM degrees form an average 262 extra jobs for native-born personnel. All in all, foreign STEM graduates should receive green cards for their effect of out of proportion exploits towards the economy. In addition, I feel it shouldn’t only be restricted to the Ph.D field because a foreign STEM graduate could exceed successfully in another division.

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    1. Shivani, I agree with you 100% and I really liked your argument reasons. I liked how you used outside information! I didn't know that Googe, Yahoo, and Ebay were found by foreigners, but that was a really strong point. In the end, although I stated otherwise in my post, I would have to say that I agree that graduates without PhD should also be granted green cards because they do have the potential to do good in another field.

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    2. I agree on the majority of your argument that STEM graduates who are foreign should be given a green card. Giving these graduates a green card, like you have states, will benefit the economy and create many thriving businesses as a result. Another point I would like to add is that giving these students a green card will encourage them to pick the U.S. as their main option for learning and welcome them to a whole new perspective. Your points on the founders of Google, E-bay,and other various companies being foreigners just shows how as a nation we are growing and developing as more technological advancements are made because of foreign graduate influence. To sum it all up, foreign STEM graduate who have Ph. D in their fields should be given green cards since it will only benefit the economically ten fold.(like you said)

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    3. Shivani, I like some of the points you brought up in your statement, like how you mentioned that companies such as Google, Yahoo!, and E-bay, that have grown with foreign students. Although you had some pretty good points, I have to disagree on the point of handing a green card to someone, just because they can pass certain classes. It is true that certain companies have benefited from foreign STEM students, but just because someone is intelligent, that doesn't mean they deserve the right to cut in line of people that have been waiting for a green card. I, myself, have relatives who have filed for an immigrant visa in hopes of someday obtaining a green card (which could take an additional five years). In total, they might be looking at a 20 year wait, just to apply for a green card. Do you think it's fair that they should get line-cut? Also, aren't there brilliant minds in the United States that have not been developed due to lack of funding? Is it possible that money can be spent better on nurturing our own nation's brilliance? Do we really need to seek expertise from other nations, or do we have expertise of our own that needs to be harvested?

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    4. Paige, I feel you may have misinterpreted some points. In my opinion, I feel the mass determination put in by the foreign stem graduates should be rewarded and giving them the green card is a deserving benevolence from the hard work and dedication. In addition, referring to your statement about the brilliant minds in the US… we are a diverse country and the input and contribution from foreigners only adds in enhancement for the economy and society in general. Like Anshul also mentioned in her blog about being a “mixpot” country and maintaining this title would require tasks such as this. There are also many proven facts in support to this. Hope this specified my points to you further.

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  5. I think that foreign STEM graduates should be granted permission for green cards, but only if they have a PhD in their field. I feel this way because I believe that graduates in these fields can contribute great things to the United States. If more foreign STEM graduates begin settling down here in America, it can greatly help the economy because they can help raise business and the stock market. A study shows that about two thirds of the students enrolled in STEM fields are international students. I also wanted to say how I don’t think that many students would necessarily go back to their home country and share education and skills they learned because then what would be the point in applying for a green card and studying here for so many years? I know many countries have similar and different education systems but it doesn't always revolve around the skills and system, but the students. STEM PhD graduates should especially be granted green cards faster than normal foreigners should because, first, it is for education, and second, they deserve it more than normal foreigners who could come here for the wrong reasons. Furthermore, they can increase the rates of job opportunities and create more jobs. Also, the whole point of ‘America’ was for people from all over the world to come together and build their own nation, and we aren't called the mixing pot for no reason, so I believe that everyone should have the opportunity, especially the well-educated ones, to come to the United States and contribute their achievements and support in the economy.

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    1. I really liked all your points included in your post and agreed with it fully! The foreign stem graduates are beneficial to the economy and there are many examples to prove this. Comparing this situation to the name given to us as "mixing pot" was great to add since we do not discriminate toward foreigners. Economic increase would definitely be an effect with businesses and stock markets, as you added.

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    2. A majority of your argument was very valid and definitely holds true in the question of should foreign STEM graduates be granted green cards. I really agree with you on your point that giving STEM graduates a green card will not only create businesses, but drive the markets by a whole lot. The U.S. needs to establish itself as a growing nation by introducing these students that will only contribute to the cause. I would also like to add the point that enabling foreign students be given green cards would encourage them to choose the U.S. as their main option for learning. Therefore, I do believe foreign STEM graduates that have Ph. D's in their field should be given green cards as quick as possible to drive the economy.

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    3. That is a great point that they would only be granted a green card if they were granted a PhD in that field, but would it be the other way around? Shouldnt they not receive a green card because they should stay in America due to the great education this country has given them? It should not be all STEM graduates because not all of these individuals use this chance at a stupendous education to the best of their ability. Remember, the green card is to get out of America, not to get in. That is how I perceived it and forgive me if I'm wrong

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    4. Anshul, definitely agreed with your points. The point that you clarified that I should have mentioned in my post is that the STEM graduates deserve this over the regular immigrants because they have implemented high standards of achievement that would benefit society. Good job.

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    5. Again, Robert... you're 100% wrong.

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    6. Anshul, I think when you stated that they wouldn't return if they have a green card, is incorrect. What if someone wanted to come for STEM classes but never wanted to become a citizen in the first-place? A green-card is a temporary pass, but it isn't fair to those who were born IN America, or who are ACTUAL citizens. -Tom Hindle

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  6. Foreign STEM graduates should receive green cards for a number of reasons. As a thriving technological based world, the U.S. should take into consideration allowing the influx of STEM students in order to establish ourselves as an innovative country. By making it easier for math and science students to study here we are creating businesses, advancing technology, and stepping ahead of everyone in the race of global talent. Recent reports and studies from the American Enterprise institute and the Partnership for a New American Economy have shown that foreign students with STEM degrees create about 262 more jobs for native-born workers. This alone gives you the impression that allowing STEM students to permanently stay here will increase the amount of jobs in the United States as well creating a handful of technological advancements. However, for the students to receive a green card they should have a Ph. D in their field. This allows for more experienced and knowledgeable students to get involved with native-born businesses and it gives the impression that the U.S. is the center of technology and knowledge for years to come. Allowing the green card to be given to foreign STEM graduates will just encourage them to choose the U.S. as the main option and help them (STEM students) to feel welcome. To sum it all up green cards should be given to foreign STEM graduates for the simple fact that it will create a handful of additional jobs/businesses and establish the U.S. as the center of innovation.

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    1. Nader, I liked your argument a lot and you made some really outstanding points. I liked how you mentioned that by granting green cards to STEM graduates it would help the US step ahead in the race of global talent. Also, the reason you stated for students to have a PhD in order to obtain a green card, was that it would be helpful to have more experienced workers that give an impression that we are very resourceful and advanced in technology and I thought that was a very strong reason.

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    2. Nader you made really good points, but i disagree with you. Just because they are STEM graduates doesn't mean they can skip the whole process of applying and waiting for your green card to come in. It isn't fair to others that "smart" people get green cards automatically. You said, "This alone gives you the impression that allowing STEM students to permanently stay here will increase the amount of jobs in the United States as well creating a handful of technological advancements." If we let other people come into our country and take over industries won't it deprecate others and their pride. Also, won't this be a voluminous issue to our security? Otherwise all is well buddy

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    3. Hey Nader I really liked your article and all the points about it. Clearly we have the same ideals and points, so I agree with you 100%. STEM is a big emerging power in the world and having immigrants want to come here to pursue a better education is great. Also something that I didn't mention in my article that you had in yours is that they should have a PHD and I do agree with that to a certain extent. Overall great article!

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    4. I completely agree with your opinion on this topic. STEM would innovate our country and put us forward in the global talent race. I also agree that they should have a Ph.D in their field because of they are more experienced and knowledgeable. Great Job!

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    5. Nader, I pretty much agree with your points of view. America has outstanding technology and advancing educational manners which attract many global potential elites. If America can retain theses talents, then the country will definitely get a lot of benefits.

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  7. It would not fair to the country of america if STEM graduates received green cards. i feel this is unfair for a few reasons. These reasons include that they're basically scamming the U.S., it would only benefit foreign nations, and the us needs more intellectual individuals to aid in stabilizing our economy with math and science. First off, these foreign students would be bringing the free education of STEM back to their countries for them to utilize it. This hurts our country's strength in various STEM jobs, and It poses threat. This poses threat because these graduates have now obtained an AMERICAN education and very much likely some of our ideologies and thoughts. In turn, they may transfer all of this information and Ideas to their home country for It to flourish in this field and overall. How would this benefit the U.S.? It won't! We would be giving other countries the opportunity to take advantage of our free education. Some foreign countries, including China, have set limits to how intelligent you must be to get an education. So, these aliens to America would basically say to themselves, "Let's go get a free education in America that is just as good as the education our country offers, and just come back with that and use it to our advantage in our home land." Lastly, this may cut down the amount of American students that get a "STEM" education. Our country would not be able to prosper in STEM-related jobs because these foreign students would not be giving their scientific abilities to our country, after they've just acquired it all from us! Thus, hurting our economy because we need all the help we can get. It would be outrageous to allow foreign students to gain green cards.

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    1. Robert, there were somewhat valid points in your post. Of course, it is true that the foreign stuents would only benefit their native country IF and only if they were to return to their country. What if they were to stay in the US? That would make a great impact for our nation. You never really know if they will be going back to their native country or staying in the US. Therefore, it is not necessarily a "scam" if these foreign STEM students come to the US to enhance their education.

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    2. Actually, the point of this blog post was to choose whether they can get a green card to leave the U.S. after they've already emigrated here. So I consider your point to be invalid. Yes, I do know if they were to stay in the U.S., it would assist us in improving our scientific level of knowledge, that is exactly what my point is.

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    3. Robert, sorry if it sounds like I'm picking on you, but your comments are erroneous at best. The point here isn't that foreign STEM students are receiving a "free education." Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your interpretation) college education isn't free, even for foreign STEM students. Granted, there may be a few that have gotten scholarships from a number of sources, but scholarship awards are based on a number of criteria and if they qualify for those scholarships, then so be it. Yet, I believe your major error is coming from your misconception of what a "green card" is and since I have already addressed this in another reply to one of your post, I'll refrain from doing so again. I just wanted to clarify that these students are not getting free educations and that they choose to come here to study at our universities due to the quality of education available in the United States. Furthermore, as for your argument about these students being a "security risk" - keep in mind that to enter the United States, the government does a background check on you. Now that isn't to say that someone could be entering under false pretense, for that does happen and I agree that that issue needs to be corrected, but the topic was about students that actually completed a doctoral program (Ph.D.) in a STEM field - so their not the ones that are "disappearing in the crowd" so-to-speak once they enter the US on a student visa.

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  8. Foreign STEM students should be granted a green card, this privilege, however should only be granted to those who are seeking to obtain a Ph.D. Students part of the STEM academy implement and achieve high standards of academics. They are well-rounded students that should be rewarded for their perseverance and determination regarding their scholarly performances. It is not a matter of who is “smarter”, but a matter of who is willing to expand upon their education and work with great determination. It is those kinds of students that would aid us in the prosperity of our nation even more. If STEM graduates do decide to become citizens of the United States or become permanent residents, this would majorly impact our nation with the fact that they would create a brighter future for the country. Of course, it is not guaranteed that they would stay in the US, but they definitely have the right to come here as a reward of their great academic performances. Their vast knowledge can even benefit the future of the world even if they go back to their native country. The most privileged STEM students should have access to green cards, meaning those who obtain a Ph.D. There are already millions of Americans that do go for their bachelor’s degree. STEM students who only go for their bachelor’s degree are not as distinguished as those STEM students who strive after their Ph.D. These students should be granted a green card due to the bright futures that lie ahead of them and for the country and the world.

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    1. You have some good points and I agree with your first point, but they should be allowed to obtain any type of degree. A ton of Americans go to colleges in different countries and don't even get Ph.Ds. So with this being said, why should they be allowed to come here for a education well deserved.

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    2. Kushali, I completely agree with your opinion, especially regarding the portion where you wrote that students part of the STEM academy implement and achieve high standards of academics. This really was a strong point toward defending green card accessibility when a PhD was earned. I'd also like to add that your finishing sentence helped wrap up your argument and was a good closer. It showed that giving hard working immigrants was the right thing to do because it would it positively impact their lives. However, you could have also ended saying how allowing the immigrants with PhDs to stay in the US would positively effect our country.

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  9. Foreign STEM graduates should be able to get green cards, but must have a Ph.D in their field. The U.S. is a thriving nation and with these foreign graduates they can greatly benefit our nation. STEM graduates can help grow our economic wealth through jobs and businesses. The U.S. already has many foreign students who come here for our education. If we were to give them a green card they would probably stay here and even acquire citizenship. It makes sense to give them green cards because if we don’t they would be forced to go to their home countries because they cannot legally live in the U.S.. Receiving a green card would be like a gateway to many opportunities.These graduates would also provide ethnic diversity in our nation if we give them this opportunity. Also, STEM graduates must have a Ph.D to acquire the green card because it shows that they are determined and committed to the field. STEM graduates have great potential and will lead the nation in science, technology, engineering, and math. Rewarding foreign STEM graduates by giving them a green card will benefit our thriving nation and make the U.S. a gateway to endless possibilities.

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    1. Akshay i agree with you overall point of view. However I do disagree with the title you must obtain in order to receive you green card. A PH.D is a big title which i believe if earned you should receive many things. However it takes years of hard work and study for the student to achieve the PH.D so what happens to the student within that time frame?

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  10. First of all, In my own opinion, whether giving out foreigners green card really can't relate to what education they received in America. (Well, included science) I think it is more important to determine how much value the foreigners can contribute to the nation than if they obtained PhD in their field. However, "Staple a green card to every foreign STEM grad's diploma!" is a very generous idea to attracting talents which do more good than harm. For example, Enrico Fermi, who was an Italian physicist, got an official citizenship of America in 1944, left Italy in 1938 to escape new Italian Racial Laws that affected his Jewish wife. He emigrated to the United States where he worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. Fermi led the team that designed and built Chicago Pile-1, that went critical on 2 December 1942, demonstrating the first artificial self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. So, do you think Fermi can concentrate in his work in an environment which make him on tenterhook all day?America can provide the scholars more care and better treatment than some other countries. However, for those foreign students who have potential in giving contribution to their fields should have better treatment. Therefore I think that the STEM students who obtain a Ph.d should be granted to get a green card. And what's more America can get direct benefit from this.

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  11. This topic really got me thinking, but at first I was a little bewildered because I wasn't sure how to answer it. Foreign STEM graduates should be able to get green cards, but it shouldn't be limited to people only wanting a Ph.D. Any person should be allowed to come to this country and obtain any type of degree in the STEM field. Most of the schools that foreign people apply to are some of the top colleges in America. Foreign people help colleges become the best they can be. Also, foreigners add diversity to our melting pot of a nation. Why are Americans allowed to go to schools such as Oxford, for example, just for a bachelor's degree. Everyone should be given equal opportunities for a college education. Foreigners might even enjoy America a lot and want to live here and find a job here. This can help add to the careers in the STEM field which is always a good thing. The benefits of having foreign students helps in many ways. Foreign students help colleges thrive and helps America be ahead in the world for education. Additionally, foreign students help raise the stock market and increase the amount of businesses. America is the land of opportunity and everyone should have the right to an education regarding location or type of degree. The great amount of knowledge foreign STEM students will gain will benefit the world in some way and help make a difference whether they stay here or go back to their native countries. STEM graduates should be allowed to get green cards, and the degree they are hoping for shouldn't matter.

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    2. HavaLavaJava! You had some very good points about foreign STEM students and why they should be able to have a green card and stay in the USA. I like the point you brought up about the stock market and how much money these immigrants can be making us considering the debt we are in. I also didn't think about them going to their home country and that's a good thing so giving them a green card to stay here either way is beneficial

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    3. Hava, I liked how in the beginning you mention that it was (ethically) wrong to restrict green cards to certain degrees. However I must mention that though your point makes sense ethically, it is not practical because in reality anyone could complete a mere bachelor's degree (regardless of the field). I also favored how you were able to include the statement about the mixing pot of diversity because throughout this argument, I had unintentionally disregarded the matter!

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  12. In all honesty, I feel that the foreign STEM graduates who studied at American schools should not receive “green cards stapled to their diplomas”. This is because there are thousands of other people in the United States who are currently waiting (and other people from various other countries that have been waiting), for long periods of time; just to receive green cards of their own. In my opinion, I feel that it is more important that the government gives those green cards to the deserving people who have applied for them and have been waiting. Foreign students should apply for immigrant status once their student visa expires, and then later apply for a green card, just like everyone else. Just giving them the green cards is simply unfair to those who have been waiting to receive them.
    In addition to that, there are a large amount of both foreign and American students studying and working in the STEM fields in the United States. Because there is such a great amount of people focusing on this subject and working in this field, it is known that wages have been dropping.
    As an effect, many people, including Americans, who have studied the fields of STEM, have been driven away in search of other careers [with higher pay] that they can pursue, rather than careers in this field. Furthermore, automatically giving these foreign STEM students green cards when they graduate would create another problem by making the United States a little too dependent on the labor of these foreign students/workers.
    This country already has many natives who are willing to work, and are struggling to find gainful employment. With that being said, I believe that it would be wrong for the government to give these foreign STEM students green cards along with their diplomas once they graduate.

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    1. First, I agree with a lot of your points of view..but I don't understand why you think the foreign STEM graduates who studied at American schools should not receive “green cards stapled to their diplomas”. Don't you think that a lot of the of STEM students are those deserving people who should be give green card?

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    2. Paige in all honesty I completely disagree with your points on why STEM graduates from other countries should receive permanent residency in this nation if they are going to help improve our knowledge and help contribute valuable information which we so desperately need. Wouldn't it be logical to offer them residency so they can continue in their fields of study,

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    3. I completely agree with your opinion that students who ARE American citizens are the ones who are worthy/deserving. Also, I like how you stated that 1000's are waiting for green-card approval. If someone applied for a green-card but isn't in STEM, is it fair for a STEM-ACADEMY student to receive it before him/her? No, because it was not through official means. -Tom Hindle

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  13. I believe that immigrants that studied and grown up in american schools should get a green card stapled to their diplomas. I also believe that as long as you receive a masters degree you should be eligible to obtain permanent residency in this fine country. the main reason being that you learned and stayed here numerous years and have grown accustom to the country and have obtained an education which is very crucial to the US at this point. Mainly because we are so behind in the fields of math and science so we need to produce smarter and more people that get professions in these fields. If we get immigrant students that truly care about the Us and have grown up and studied at our schools, then who are we to tell them they don't belong here. Especially if it is going to benefit us in the long run and boost our rankings amongst other nations in education. We need as many students as possible and why wouldn't we encourage young minds to pursue careers here in the US.

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    1. I definitely agree with your opinion on this matter David. Though we have different beliefs as to when a person should be applicable (masters or PhD), your argument had a general consensus with mine. These points included the inclusion of the importance of jobs related to the STEM field and not wanting immigrants to go elsewhere. Lastly, I quite liked how you mentioned that it would make sense to not dissuade young minds to pursue in the US.

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    2. David I agree with most of your points but shouldn't those who already HAVE a green card be allowed to take STEM classes? what if someone where to take a STEM class and never apply for one in the end? -Tom Hindle

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  15. Yes, STEM graduates should get green cards.HOWEVER, it should be restricted to only those who obtain a Ph.D in their field. This is because STEM graduates would provide imperative jobs that could positively help not only the economy, but our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics sectors. However, in order to make it fair for graduates of other fields (and other immigrants) we should make green card eligibility strictly for those who go the long run by obtaining a Ph.D in the STEM field. Some might advocate on the point that foreign workers would steal jobs that could be done by Americans. However foreign workers have been working alongside American workers for many years, and this is therefore, an illegitimate point against my argument. After all, would it make sense that after many years of hard work obtaining a Ph.D (in America) that you would be kicked out? Since these graduates have strived toward success in their field through hard work, they do in fact, deserve this pass which would allow them the right to live in our great nation.

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  16. I feel anyone who is a citizen of the United States (in-possession of a green-card), should be able to take part in STEM academy classes. But, for those who are just traveling for a short-amount of time... it would make absolute no sense for them to take part in a STEM-ACADEMY class, when a Native who will remain for a longer time, has the opportunity to. Now, should it be only for those who receive PhD's? I disagree. Some people are unsure of what they would like to accomplish in their future. For example, a college (first-year) student might major in sciences, but then find out they wanted to do something with Mathematics later-on. Therefore, that student most likely will take a Mathematical major in his/her (second-year) of schooling. Besides that point, only those who are willing to stay in America (citizens) should take part in these classes so it benefits the native citizens. (sorry for the delay) -Tom Hindle

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