"One last point about education. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens. Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet live every day with the threat of deportation. Others come here from abroad to study in our colleges and universities. But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us. It makes no sense."


I hope in the upcoming reform there is something that resolves the pain we (student in F1)  face regarding the loophole in the immigration system.


Below is my wishlist that I'm planning to send to uncle sam that will qualify bright and hard working student in F1 to obtain permanent residency:

a) Get a Bachelors/Masters/Phd/ Post PHD from an american univesity in science, math and technology.
b) Reside in America for at least 8 years.
c) Be involved in research to innovate and prosper America or be gainfully employed to support innovation.
d) Have no record of criminal history and be a good moral character.


I didn't put the above four points because It fits my bill but  because it is sensible and people will have to have patience and be success driven to achieve the American dream.

Please share what you think about this topic since you have taken the time to read this. Let your voice be heard! :)

God bless  all and god bless America.

I always wonder when it comes to immigration, STEM comes to picture. Why people with arts, culture,business, politics, social science degree can't contribute any thing to the community. Or we all want/born to be tech slaves who can add value in value chain , but are not willing to be leader, add value from human prospective, and in society as a whole. STEM only gets priority, well money talks and it's corporate America, everyone came here to make money, but not celebrate the freedom and idea behind this land of freedom.

 2011 State of the union means, More college will be raided by ICE and more students will be deported making it a tough year for Immigrants.
They aren't gonna change anything about Immigration anytime soon. Don't dream.

Goreto, the part you highlighted in red only looks good in speech and might be a nice phrase for American politics, but to actually make that happen, it will take years. If you start working on something like that, may be your kid will be able to take an advantage when he comes here for higher education. By then, you might be better off sending them to our neighboring country China.

Strong bill like “Dream Act” didn’t even pass and that will pass someday but will at least take few more years of hard work for all the Latinos. Illegal immigrants and their kids (dream act) is the number one priority for American government to tackle and they will work on that before they even think of F1 students.

Nobody forced you to come here. You promised to the visa counselor and showed so many fake documents making him believe that you will go back to Nepal and help our country do better with the education you gained over here. Keep your promises and go back to our country Nepal. Sorry to disappoint you, but your wish list will be ignored since so many Americans who has STEM degree are unemployed and looking for job right now. Good luck anyway….

 Here is what president said regarding the education & immigration that matter us the most:

"One last point about education. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens. Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet live every day with the threat of deportation. Others come here from abroad to study in our colleges and universities. But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us. It makes no sense.

Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that debate will be difficult and take time. But tonight, let's agree to make that effort. And let's stop expelling talented, responsible young people who can staff our research labs, start new businesses, and further enrich this nation."


 

 If you are talking about F1 students, they are not illegal immigrants. They are here to study. So the issue of  illegal immigration has nothing to with students. They are basically trying to solve the big issue of 12+ million illegal immigrants here in US. If anything changes soon, it will be something in regard to illegal immigration and the kids who grew up here but has no status (dream act). 

what about this?
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/136685-issa-bill-would-give-greencards-to-up-to-55000-science-and-tech-workers

The requirement seems fairly easier than your proposal.

Degree in science, math and technology? Sure, if you want to be a slave for the rest of your life.

Rarely these degrees lead to entrepreneurship. Most of these degree professionals just suck up the economy; they are job seekers, not job producers.  They do not create opportunities; they seek opportunites.   History reveals that almost all of the jobs are created by business majors and tech entrepreneurs in this century (rarely you'll find tech entrepreneur with a degree, be it is Dell, Steve Jobs, Mark, Gates...you name it.

Although 85% in my +2 (in physical group), I chose Business for my undergrad.  I enjoy the freedom to hire and fire any tech/science majors anytime.  You would even find tech guys working for less than a dollar an hour in some freelance websites.

 i have been hearing about immigration reform forever , more than a decade and even in the glorious years like 05 nothing happened. so i wouldn't be hopeful about any reform for at least 2 decades to be honest.