Foster Co-Leads Bipartisan 'Keep STEM Talent Act' In Congress

NAPERVILLE, IL — 'Keep STEM Talent Act,' a bipartisan bill co-introduced by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) aims to give STEM graduates from other countries a way to become permanent United States residents after they complete their education.

“We must expand America's STEM workforce to compete in the global economy,” Foster said in a statement. “Our country gives international STEM students a world-class education, only to turn them away when they want to stay in the United States after graduation and contribute their skills to our economy."

Lawler said he is "proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025."

He added, "This bill will incentivize international STEM graduates to stay and contribute to our economy, ensuring America continues to lead the world in science and technological innovation."

In the Senate, a companion bill was introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

The "Keep Stem Talent Act' would apply to students with graduate degrees earned from accredited universities in the U.S., have job offers or have eligible labor certifications. The bill defines STEM fields as

• Computer and information sciences and support services
• Engineering
• Mathematics and statistics
• Biological and biomedical sciences
• Physical sciences
• Agricultural sciences
• Natural resources and conservation sciences

Foster said, "Allowing these graduates to stay would help put our country on the cutting edge of scientific research and technological development and create good-paying American jobs along the way. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan effort to build up our STEM workforce.”