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Release Date: May 11, 2012
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced
an expanded list of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
designated-degree programs that qualify eligible graduates on student visas
for an optional practical training (OPT) extension. This announcement builds
on a series of administrative reforms designed to further the Department's
commitment to attracting international students.
"Attracting the best and brightest international talent to our colleges and
universities and enabling them to contribute to their professional growth is
an important part of our nation's economic, scientific and technological
competitiveness," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "
International students and exchange visitors bring invaluable contributions
to our nation, and this helps empower the next generation of international
entrepreneurs, right here in America."
Under the OPT program, international students who graduate from colleges and
universities in the United States are able to remain in the country and
receive training through work experience for up to 12 months. Students who
graduate from a designated STEM degree program can remain for an additional
17 months on an OPT STEM extension.
By expanding the list of designated STEM degree programs to include such
fields as pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics and quantitative economics,
the Department is helping bring the best, most qualified international
students to the United States.
These reforms reflect the Obama administration's ongoing commitment to
promote policies that embrace talented students from other countries, who
come to study in our finest colleges and universities and enrich the nation
by allowing highly skilled foreign graduates to extend their post-graduate
training in the United States and work in their field of study upon
graduation.
A full list of expanded STEM degrees is available here.
Earlier this year, DHS announced several measures they will implement to
streamline existing pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs to enter and create
businesses in the U.S., retain more foreign-born science and technology
graduates from U.S. universities, facilitate immigration by top researchers,
and help U.S. startups and other companies compete for global talent. |
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