Tennessee Senator Introduces Immigration Legislation

       Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander has introduced the SMART Jobs Act of 2012, a bipartisan effort with Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), to provide the opportunity for foreign-born, U.S. educated graduates of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Masters and Ph.D. programs to receive perment residence in an expedited manner.

   Under  the SMART Jobs Act of 2012, Congress would create a new visa category, F-4. 

1. To come to the United States on a F-4 visa, a foreign national must be to pursue a Masters degree, or a Ph.D. in a STEM field;
2. Once the foreign national graduates with a STEM degree, he would have one year to live in the United States, and seek employment;
3. After the foreign graduate finds employment in a STEM field, he can apply for a green card withouy any labor certification or National Interest Waiver;
4. The F-4 visa would be extended for an extra six months while the foreign national’s green card application is pending.

      This positive bill is one of several which has been recently introduced related to immigration.  Hopefully, this is a sign that Congress wants to work on our immigration problems, not just rant and rave about them.