STEM Act Receives Official Opposition From White House

[Tx4obama]

STEM Act Receives Official Opposition From White House

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration announced on Wednesday its opposition to the latest House Republican effort on immigration: a bill that would expand visas to certain holders of advanced degrees by eliminating another visa program entirely.

The STEM Jobs Act, proposed by House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), is focused on the relatively uncontroversial idea that more highly-skilled immigrants should be allowed to come to, or stay in, the U.S. It would add 55,000 visas for masters and doctoral degree holders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

At the same time, though, it would eliminate all 55,000 diversity visas -- often called the green card lottery -- that go toward would-be immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.

It's also a narrow bill at a time when President Barack Obama and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are working toward broad immigration reform, which led the White House to oppose it.

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Full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/stem-act-white-house-immigration_n_2207279.html