A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 26 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025" aims to provide lawful permanent resident status to certain advanced STEM degree holders. It requires students seeking master's degrees or higher in STEM fields at U.S. institutions to apply for admission prior to starting their programs. The bill establishes a strengthened vetting process including background checks and credential verification for these students. It also allows for the granting of permanent residency to qualified graduates, their spouses, and children. Additionally, the bill permits certain student visa holders to pursue these degrees even if they are seeking permanent resident status.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill provides a clear and improved pathway to legal permanent status for highly skilled immigrants.
- Scored +7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Graduate students in STEM fields benefit directly from the expanded status opportunities.
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill creates a direct path to permanent residency for advanced STEM degree holders and their families.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill mandates strengthened vetting including comprehensive background checks and interviews.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Path to Permanent Residency: Qualified individuals who earn a master's degree or higher in a STEM field from an accredited U.S. institution and have specific job offers can obtain lawful permanent resident status (Section 3(a)).
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Family Inclusion: The bill extends the opportunity for lawful permanent resident status to the spouses and children of qualified advanced STEM degree holders (Section 3(a)(I)(IV)).
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Visa Flexibility: Students pursuing advanced STEM degrees can obtain or change their status to pursue these degrees even if they are actively seeking lawful permanent resident status (Section 3(d)).
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Efficient Processing: The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State are directed to process applications in a timely manner to support graduate education (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Vetting Requirements: Students seeking advanced degrees in STEM must undergo academic credential verification, comprehensive background checks, and interviews equivalent to those seeking admission from outside the U.S. (Section 2(b)).
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Strict Application Timing: Students seeking to pursue an advanced degree in a STEM field at the master's level or higher must apply for admission prior to beginning their degree program (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill provides a clear and improved pathway to legal permanent status for highly skilled immigrants. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Graduate students in STEM fields benefit directly from the expanded status opportunities. Would students be better off under this? — STEM graduate students gain increased flexibility and a path to long-term residency in the U.S. Would children be better off under this? — The bill includes children of qualified STEM holders in the permanent residency provision. Would business owners be better off under this? — Employers benefit from access to a more stable and permanent highly-skilled workforce.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Retaining advanced STEM graduates supports innovation and long-term economic productivity. Is this likely to create jobs? — By providing a pathway to permanent residency, the bill helps retain highly skilled STEM talent in the U.S. workforce.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill creates a direct path to permanent residency for advanced STEM degree holders and their families.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — By encouraging advanced degree holders to stay in the U.S., it bolsters the higher education and research ecosystem.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases the scope of federal immigration and visa processing authorities. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports to Congress on implementation and economic impact.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Securing STEM talent helps maintain a competitive edge in technological and cybersecurity capabilities. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill mandates strengthened vetting including comprehensive background checks and interviews.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 2/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Laura FriedmanDemocrat · California
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Sam LiccardoDemocrat · California
Joseph MorelleDemocrat · New York
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia