2021-10-22-国际战略研究中心-美国赢得与中国的科技人才的竞争_STEM移民改革（英）_30页_458kb

Winning the Tech Talent Competition: U.S. STEM Immigration Reforms Needed to Maintain Advantages Over China

Part 1: The Problem

Technology Competition Is Talent Competition

Technology competition with China is a central strategic issue for the U.S. government.
Talent (scientists and engineers) is critical to innovation and underlies China's technological ambitions.
China's leaders view high-skill labor shortages as a key obstacle to achieving technological independence in areas like semiconductors, AI, and biotechnology.

The Talent Dimensions of the China Challenge

China is a formidable talent challenger due to its large population (four times U.S.) and recent educational successes.
By 2025, China is projected to nearly double U.S. STEM PhD graduate numbers (77k vs 40k); more than triple if only domestic students counted.
Globally, China outpaces the U.S. in STEM bachelor's and master's degrees produced.

Immigration Is America's Key Asymmetric Talent Advantage

Despite China's gains, the U.S. remains far more attractive to international STEM talent.
About 60% of advanced STEM talent abroad would consider moving to the U.S., vs <10% for China.
Long-term retention rates for Chinese STEM PhDs in the U.S. are exceptionally high (≈90% stay at least 10 years).

Part 2: Solutions

Policy Priorities

Three key goals should guide U.S. international talent strategy:

1. Reforming STEM Immigration to Boost National Security
2. Ensuring Immigration Reforms Complement Domestic Workforce Investments
3. Safeguarding Research While Maintaining an Open System

Specific Policy Options

Reforming STEM Immigration

Legislative:

• Exempt advanced STEM graduates from green card caps.
• Create new green card categories for critical/emerging tech workers and a "start-up" visa.
  Executive:
• Recapture unused green cards.
• Clarify and expand the O-1 "extraordinary talent" visa.
• Grant "National Interest Waivers" for critical technology workers.

Supporting Domestic Workforce

Legislative:

• Raise visa fees to fund STEM training for U.S. students.
• Prioritize visas for fields with documented labor shortages.

Protecting Research & Openness

Legislative:

• Create public-private partnerships for research security information sharing.
• Fund open-source science and technology intelligence gathering.
  Executive:
• Implement Presidential Proclamation 10043 selectively.
• Streamline inter-agency information sharing on researcher affiliations.
• Engage with allies on research security and technology transfer risks.

Conclusion

Urgent action is needed on STEM immigration reforms to counter China's rapid talent gains.
Without significant reforms, the U.S. risks losing its asymmetric advantage in attracting global STEM talent.
Policy changes are also necessary to support domestic workers, complement immigration with workforce investments, and balance research openness with security concerns.
Failure to act risks undermining long-term U.S. technological leadership.