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The presence of foreign students in the United States has long been a topic of debate. Advocates praise their contributions to academic institutions, the economy, and innovation, while critics argue that their post-graduation integration into the workforce disadvantages American-born workers. The ongoing discussions about immigration policy and economic competitiveness centers primarily on uneducated workers taking jobs that most Americans would not do. There have been little analyses on the other end of the spectrum. It is worth examining the implications of foreign student visas and whether limiting them would better serve American workers.

Foreign Students in the U.S.: Contributions and Opportunities

Foreign students, who often enter the U.S. on F-1 visas, represent a significant share of the population at many American universities, particularly in graduate programs. In the 2021–2022 academic year, nearly 1 million international students were enrolled in U.S. institutions. Many pursue degrees in high-demand fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Foreign Governments Play a Crucial Role

Contrary to the belief that international students primarily rely on personal savings or loans to fund their education, many benefit from robust financial support from their home governments. These subsidies often come in the form of scholarships, low-interest loans, and even full funding for tuition, living expenses, and travel. For example, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) is one of the most comprehensive government-funded initiatives, covering nearly all costs for students studying abroad. Similarly, China’s Scholarship Council (CSC) provides substantial support to students pursuing higher education in the U.S., particularly in STEM fields, which align with China’s economic priorities.

These programs are not limited to large, resource-rich nations. Countries like Malaysia, through initiatives like the MARA and JPA scholarships, also fund students’ education abroad, often focusing on medicine, engineering, and education. Even smaller nations have developed similar programs to build their human capital and remain competitive in the global economy.

In some cases, foreign governments partner directly with U.S. universities to reduce costs for their students. These agreements, which may include discounted tuition or co-funded scholarships, further enhance access to education for international students.

These students often transition into the U.S. workforce through programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) or H-1B visas, filling roles in sectors where employers report labor shortages. Their education, often subsidized by their home governments, and their skills position them as strong candidates for high-paying jobs, particularly in technology and healthcare.

The Case for Limiting Foreign Student Visas

Critics of current foreign student visa policies argue that these programs disadvantage American-born workers, particularly in fields with stiff competition for jobs. Here are the key arguments for limiting foreign student visas:

1. Job Competition for American Workers

One of the most prominent concerns is that international graduates compete directly with American-born workers for high-paying jobs, especially in the STEM fields. Employers often view foreign workers as attractive hires because:

• They are frequently highly skilled and have specialized knowledge gained from U.S. universities.
• Their visa status, particularly under the H-1B program, can make them less likely to switch jobs, providing stability to employers.

This dynamic, critics argue, creates downward pressure on wages and reduces opportunities for domestic graduates. For instance, a newly graduated American software engineer might face stiff competition from an international graduate with equivalent qualifications who is willing to work for slightly lower wages or has additional visa-driven incentives to remain in the position.

2. Foreign Workers Obtain High-Value Employment

These are the fields and jobs filled by the foreign-born workers:

STEM Fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

These fields are known for competitive salaries due to high demand and specialized skills.

Software Engineers/Developers: $80,000–$130,000+ annually, with higher salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley.

Data Scientists/Analysts: $90,000–$150,000+, depending on experience and the company (e.g., tech, finance, or startups).

Electrical/Mechanical Engineers: $70,000–$110,000, with potential for higher salaries in specialized industries (e.g., aerospace or automotive).

Cybersecurity Analysts: $75,000–$125,000, reflecting the growing need for data protection.

Civil Engineers: $65,000–$95,000, with variations based on region and projects.

Information Technology and Computer Science

The tech industry generally offers high salaries, especially for skilled workers.

Cloud Computing Specialists: $90,000–$150,000, as companies increasingly adopt cloud-based systems.

AI/Machine Learning Engineers: $110,000–$180,000+, reflecting the cutting-edge nature of this field.

IT Support Engineers: $55,000–$85,000, though more advanced roles like systems architects can earn significantly more.

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Salaries in healthcare and research vary widely but are generally solid, especially for advanced roles.

Biomedical Researchers: $60,000–$100,000, often higher with advanced degrees (Ph.D. or M.D.).

Public Health Analysts: $55,000–$85,000, depending on the organization (e.g., government or private sector).

Clinical Researchers: $70,000–$100,000+, particularly in pharmaceuticals.

Healthcare Administrators: $65,000–$120,000, depending on the size of the facility.

Business and Management

Business roles offer varying salaries based on the industry and the candidate’s experience.

Financial Analysts: $65,000–$100,000+, with bonuses in finance-heavy cities like New York.

Marketing Specialists: $50,000–$85,000, with higher salaries in digital marketing roles.

Management Consultants: $80,000–$130,000+, with top firms (e.g., McKinsey, Bain) offering higher compensation.

Supply Chain Managers: $60,000–$100,000, particularly in e-commerce and manufacturing.

Law and Legal Studies

Legal roles pay well, particularly in corporate or specialized law.

Paralegals: $50,000–$75,000, depending on location and firm size.

Corporate Compliance Specialists: $60,000–$100,000+.

Immigration Advisors: $45,000–$70,000.

Arts and Design

Foreign-born students are even filling jobs that are less lucrative initially but may offer good earnings for talented and experienced professionals.

Graphic Designers: $45,000–$70,000, with potential for freelance or contract work to boost income.

UX/UI Designers: $70,000–$120,000+, as demand for user-friendly applications grows.

Animators/Multimedia Artists: $50,000–$85,000, with potential to earn more in gaming or high-budget projects.

Humanities and Social Sciences

While these fields may have lower starting salaries, they offer opportunities for growth, especially in specialized or leadership roles.

Policy Analysts: $50,000–$80,000, often higher for government or international organizations.

Education Specialists: $40,000–$65,000 initially, with potential to grow into administrative roles.

Journalists/Writers: $35,000–$70,000, with freelance opportunities potentially boosting income.

Location-Based Differences

While an American-born student may be tied to a state, city, or region of the United States, foreign-born students are already living far from home. They can take advantage of their propensity to move to gain better-paying jobs. Salaries can vary significantly based on where the job is located:

High-cost cities (e.g., San Francisco, New York): Typically offer higher salaries to offset the cost of living.

Smaller cities or rural areas: Lower salaries but with lower living costs.

3. Oversaturation of Certain Job Markets

In fields like computer science, engineering, and data science, the influx of foreign talent has led to concerns about oversaturation. Critics suggest that the U.S. should prioritize training and employing its own citizens in these fields rather than relying on foreign talent.

4. Dependency on Subsidized Foreign Talent

As many international students receive financial support from their home countries, effectively subsidizing their education, these students leave school with less debt than American-born students. Critics argue that this creates an uneven playing field for American students, who often take on significant debt to pursue similar degrees. They contend that the U.S. should focus on reducing barriers for domestic students rather than providing pathways for subsidized international graduates to remain in the workforce.

Striking a Balance

While US corporations may make compelling arguments for foreign labor, Americans need to strike a balance to address the concerns about job competition while maintaining the benefits of foreign talent. Here are some policy options that could provide a middle ground:

Prioritizing Domestic Workforce Development:

The United States must increase its investment in STEM education for American students to ensure they are competitive in high-demand fields. It must also provide financial incentives, such as scholarships or debt forgiveness, to encourage more domestic students to pursue degrees in critical sectors.

Refining Visa Programs:

The United States should introduce more stringent criteria for transitioning from student visas to work visas, such as requiring proof that no qualified American worker is available for the position. It must also implement quotas or caps on OPT and H-1B visas for specific industries or regions with high job competition.

Encouraging Return to Home Countries:

The United States needs to embark on a program to repatriate these foreign students with their home countries. Partner with foreign governments to create programs that encourage international graduates to return home after completing their education, ensuring that their skills benefit their home countries.

Improving Wage Standards:

Require employers that opt to hire foreign workers to pay them at least the prevailing wage or above, ensuring that they are not hired as a cost-saving measure over domestic workers. A tax or surcharge can be assessed on the employer that hires a foreign-born worker over an American-born worker. These monies can be used to subsidize programs to offset the cost of student debts of American workers.

Family Sponsorship After Permanent Residency

To complicate the immigration debate, once a foreign-born student becomes a permanent, the door for the former student’s family is opened. Permanent residents can sponsor their spouse for a Green Card under the Family Second Preference Category (F2A). The process typically takes 1–2 years, depending on visa availability and processing times.

If the foreign-born worker has unmarried children (Under 21 Years Old), they are eligible for a Green Card under the F2A category, just like spouses. Processing times are similar (1–2 years). Even unmarried children (Over 21 Years Old) are eligible under the F2B category (Family Second Preference). This category has longer waiting times, often 5–7 years or more, depending on the applicant’s country of origin.

Process for Sponsoring Family Members

File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative):

This is the first step, where you petition the U.S. government to recognize your relationship with your family member.

You must provide proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage certificates, birth certificates).

Wait for Visa Availability:

For family members in the F2A or F2B categories, a visa must be available before they can proceed with the Green Card application. The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin outlines current wait times by category and country.

Complete Green Card Application:

If the family member is already in the U.S. on a valid visa, they can apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485).

If they are abroad, they go through Consular Processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Path to Citizenship for Family Members

Once your family members become permanent residents (Green Card holders), they can apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting residency requirements (usually 5 years).

What About Parents or Married Children?

Although permanent residents cannot sponsor their parents for Green Cards, this option becomes available after you become a U.S. citizen. The new U.S. citizens can file for their parents without a wait time under the Immediate Relative category.

Likewise, although permanent residents cannot sponsor married children, this option is also available after the foreign-born worker becomes a U.S. citizen.

Conclusion

The debate over foreign student visas touches on critical aspects of education, employment, and immigration policy in the United States. While the presence of international students has some benefits for U.S. academic institutions and addresses skills gaps in high-demand industries, it also raises concerns about job competition, wage suppression, and the long-term implications for American-born workers. As foreign-born graduates transition into the workforce and eventually gain permanent residency, their presence can shape the economic landscape in ways that are not always favorable to domestic workers, particularly in STEM fields where job competition is fierce.

Addressing these concerns requires a multifaceted approach. Increasing investment in STEM education for U.S.-born students, implementing stricter criteria for foreign student work visas, and incentivizing international graduates to return to their home countries could help protect opportunities for domestic workers while maintaining the benefits of foreign talent in the short term. Furthermore, creating policies that promote wage parity and reducing reliance on subsidized international talent can ensure a more level playing field for American graduates.

Ultimately, the challenge lies in finding the right balance—leveraging the skills and contributions of foreign students while prioritizing the needs and opportunities of American-born workers. As the U.S. continues to navigate these complex issues, it must strive for policies that foster both economic growth and fairness in the workforce.