Foreign students studying science, technology, mathematics and engineering are now able to stay in the U.S. for a longer period of time after graduation if an employer petitions in their favor.
The Department of Homeland Security recently revised the regulations surrounding the H-1B visa, for foreign-born professionals, due to increased lobbying by U.S. high-tech corporations that often employ foreign students, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The demand for these visas has also been overwhelming; students met the 2008 cap of 65,000 visas on April 1, the first day Homeland Security accepted applications, according to Compete America's Web site. Compete America is an organization that advocates for a competitive workforce in the United States.
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that applicants would receive H-1B visas based on a random lottery due to the amount of applications that far exceeded the annual numerical limit. Winners of the lottery cannot begin work with the employers who applied for the visas on their prospective employees' behalf until Oct.1, according to Workpermit.com, which provides immigration, work visas, and work permit services.
The revision of the H-1B visa applies to foreign students who graduate in the spring from U.S. universities with degrees related to math or science. It extended the Optional Practical Training program from 12 months to 29 months. The extended time is meant to give U.S. employers more time to hire graduates. However, these students must first receive their visas through the random lottery, according to Workpermit.com
Changyao Liu, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences who is from China, said he is currently undecided on a major, but has considered "the limitations that the government imposed" in his decision.
"I understand they can't let everyone in," he said. "But of course, I hope I can get it."
Liu said he is considering moving away from the liberal arts, which he feels might put him at a disadvantage in eventually attaining an H-1B visa since regulations seem to favor students in the hard sciences.
Ayse Sengueler, a sophomore in SIS who is from Germany, said she is in the U.S. on a green card and is glad she does not have to "deal with [getting an H-1B], especially because they've made it so difficult now." She said she is still concerned about U.S. policies towards foreign students seeking employment in America after graduation.
"There's been an increase in people studying social sciences, especially in the U.S., among Americans and among foreigners, and I understand that the U.S. cannot have that many social scientists," Sengueler said.
Victoria A. Espinosa Gil, a senior in SIS who is from Mexico, said she thinks the United States needs to welcome more international students in other areas.
"I don't know why, but the world has this image of Americans being ignorant," she said. "The [United States] needs history [majors], maybe a different perspective on international affairs, or economists, especially since the U.S. is facing a terrible economic crisis."
More than 500,000 foreign students studied in the United States at the university level during the 2006-2007 school year, according to the Institute of International Education's Web site.
