IFPTE Applauds Sen. Durbin and Sen. Rounds for Introducing the Keep STEM Talent Act of 2023
Legislation Provides International Students Graduating with U.S. STEM Advanced Degrees a Pathway to Permanence with STEM Employment that Pays Above the Median Wage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The executive officers of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), a labor union representing upwards of 90,000 professionals in highly skilled occupations across several industries and sectors, applauded the reintroduction of the Keep STEM Talent Act, S. 2384. The legislation was introduced by the bipartisan sponsors, Senate Judiciary Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD).
IFPTE President Matthew Biggs:
“IFPTE is proud to endorse the Keep STEM Talent Act, which is now a bipartisan bill. This legislation provides a high-road approach to supporting and building the STEM workforce, supports prevailing wages, and gives international STEM students with U.S. advanced degrees an opportunity to work in the U.S. with full labor mobility and the same labor rights afforded to all Americans. This is a clear and sensible alternative to low-road guest worker visas that undermine domestic recruitment, pay below-market wages, cause the displacement of workers in the U.S., and take advantage of indentured foreign workers. Senator Durbin and Senator Rounds deserve credit for putting forward a solution that protects STEM workers and good-paying STEM jobs.”
IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson:
“We thank Senator Durbin and Senator Rounds for working together and offering an improved Keep STEM Talent Act of 2023. Instead of proposing to lift the cap on high-skill work visas that have caused great harm to American workers, offshored jobs, and taken advantage of foreign workers, the Keep STEM Talent Act provides a solution that gives international students graduating with U.S. advanced degrees an opportunity to work in the U.S. without subjecting them to substandard wages and captive labor conditions. If we are serious about supporting STEM jobs and attracting talent to STEM industries, we need policies that build on our strong labor standards, good job quality, and competitive wages for these in-demand workers. “
Across the United States and Canada, IFPTE represents 90,000 highly skilled workers in the federal, public, and private sectors. IFPTE is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and the CLC. More information can be found at www.IFPTE.org.
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