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STEM, an acronym, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The acronym was arguably first coined in late nineties by a collective group of policy makers at US National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF issues guideline from time to time as to what programs could be tagged as STEM. The US Homeland Security has its own functional definition created specifically for immigration purposes. STEM definition is linked to immigration as international students enrolled in STEM designated-degree programs qualify for an extended optional practical training (OPT). The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lists disciplines including physics, actuarial science, chemistry, biology, mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, computational science, psychology, biochemistry, robotics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, information science, information technology, civil engineering, aeros...

Generally US based companies identify foreign workers whose talent is not available within USA and file H1B petition (here in after call H1B applications) on behalf of that worker. Sometimes such workers are called non-immigrant worker s or Guest worker or H1B worker. If H1B is granted, then that worker can work for 3 years and it could be extended by another three years if necessary. US based company should provide justification that the worker (for whom it is filing H1B application) has a talent which is not available within USA and that talent is critical to maintain its competitiveness in the global market place. Therefore, this foreign worker should be permitted to work in USA. There is a cap on how many H1B applications to be granted in one year for workers from a given country. India has the highest cap and the cap for this year (April 2017-March 2018) was 65,000. Another 20,000 H1B visas are reserved for master's degrees from US Universities (of any nationality). Th...

There are two types of visa – immigrant visa type & non-immigrant visa type.  Immigrant visa seeker intends to enter the country intending to settle down in and/or become a citizen of the country of his/her destination rest of the life. Non-immigrant visa seeker wishes to enter the country for education work, business, tourism etc. H-1B is a non-immigrant visa and H1B seeker intends to work temporarily in the United States. However, seekers visa request has to be sponsored by a prospective employer in U.S. Firms sponsoring foreign worker is regulated by the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101(a)(17)(H). The act restricts firms from employing foreign workers to substitute expensive local worker. In spirit, firm should temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations only when there are no local substitutes and its competitiveness in the market place is hurt if such skills are not provisioned. US Government restricts the total numbers of ...

  David Cameron held a referendum asking British citizens on whether or not UK should remain in European Union (EU). While Cameron supported to remain in EU, the opposition labor party supported exit from EU. Exit won by thin margin.   Cameron resigned saying he could not lead exit after supporting remain and Theresa May succeeded Cameron. Those favored Exit wanted to exit mainly to stop immigrants flocking UK . Donald J Trump ran for presidency starting roughly mid-2016 and won a contentious primary of Republican Party. Thereafter, in an eventful and often controversial election campaign by both parties’ candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump faced off each other. November 8th 2016 election handed over   presidency to Trump with majority of electoral college votes although Clinton got roughly 2% more popular votes. Trump assumed office of presidency on January 20th 2017. Trump’s Agenda was “America First ” and Trump made it a point to go for immigratio...