Next100, a startup think tank of The Century Foundation that is focused on developing policies that promote diversity, inclusion and equity, has published a proposal from Next100 policy entrepreneur Taif Jany titled, “Keeping Talent in America.” In the report, Jany notes that as the U.S. economy tries to recover from COVID-19, there needs to be a long-term strategy for economic growth and workforce development which includes offering a pathway to permanent residency for international students.
Currently, international students who have F-1 student visas are only entitled to one year of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation in an area of work related to their major, two years for people in STEM fields. Jany instead proposes the U.S. enact the Keeping Talent in America Act (KTAA), which would provide a three-year work authorization to all full-time F-1 students who have attended colleges and universities in the U.S., remained in good standing and graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
“We know that international students contribute so much to this country — economically, socially, through our education — however the policies are outdated. They were outdated before COVID and they’re still outdated. In addition, we’re seeing increased attacks against international students,” said Jany, who was previously himself an international student. He saw many of his friends have to leave the U.S. after completing their educations rather than staying and sharing their knowledge.
The attack Jany referenced is in his view the guidance from the current administration banning international students from coming to the U.S. to enroll in colleges and universities that are operating solely online during the fall semester. Many institutions have expressed decisive opposition to such a policy.
His response was to create this new program. “I believe this program could be supported by both Democrats and Republicans,” he said. KTAA promotes a long-term strategy to keep talent in America and advance a vision of America as a country that welcomes global talent.
“Our policies right now, like OPT and even H-1B (non-immigrant work permits for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher), don’t have any clear path for these individuals to pursue a longer career or even life long-term in America,” said Jany. “KTAA is a clear path for all of these international students if they want to stay and work in the U.S.”
Under KTAA, international students would get three years of work authorization after graduation. After three years, any F-1 international student who has an ongoing position will be eligible for a three-year extension of the original authorization. After six years, those individuals would be eligible for permanent residence.
