NPA Joins the Call for Immigration Reform
Posted Sep 07, 2007
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National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is one of many professional and public organizations joining the call for immigration reform. NPA has recently issued a White Paper entitled, International Postdoctoral Researchers and Their Importance to the Advancement of U.S. Science, Technology and National Security, calling on the U.S. Congress to reform immigration laws as they pertain to international postdoctoral scholars.
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About NPA
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NPA is a national professional organization that advocates for the interests of postdoctoral scholars. Although in existence only a few years, NPA has already made itself visible in the rule and policy-making arena, as related to postdoctoral research. A nonprofit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia (Washington, DC), the organization provides a number of programs and resources for international scholars. As international postdoctoral researchers represent 50-72 percent of the pool of postdoctoral researchers in the U.S., and produce more peer-reviewed publications than U.S. postdoctoral researchers, NPA is actively involved in immigration issues faced by international researchers. Taking a leadership role, it advocates for more and easier-to-obtain nonimmigrant visas; such as Hs and Js, with better immigration benefits, and even for a new nonimmigrant category that could encompass all of the needs of international scholars.
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NPA Proposal - Short-Term Policy Recommendations
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NPA's recent White Paper made a number of recommendations for improvements in U.S. law and immigration regulations to ensure continued access to international talent. Short-term policy recommendations include the following points.

• Eliminate the foreign-residence requirement currently attached to J-1 nonimmigrant visas.

• Help International Postdoctoral Researchers return to the U.S. when they travel to their respective home countries.

• Raise the cap on the quota of H1B visas for International Postdoctoral Researchers who have U.S. and / or foreign advanced degrees.

• Enhance enforcement of Department of Labor laws regarding prevailing wages, as required by the H1B nonimmigrant classification.

• Allow spouses of International Postdoctoral Researchers to work in the U.S.

• Establish a new nonimmigrant classification specifically for nonimmigrant International Postdoctoral Research Scholars.

NPA Proposal - Long Term Policy Recommendations
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In addition to short-term policy recommendations, NPA calls for long-term policy changes; namely the new nonimmigrant classification allowing dual intent; a five-year validity; allowing salary to be paid from grants, fellowships and other non-employer sources; employment options for spouses; an easy way to transfer to other institutions; a sixty-day grace period to depart the U.S. or find another job; and authorizing consulting as a valid form of employment. NPA has also made recommendations with regard to the processing of the corresponding visa by the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
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Conclusion
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As with any calls for changes in policy in the area of U.S. immigration, we remind MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers that such efforts may be successful or may not, depending upon a variety of factors involved, including the interest generated, whether politicians and others with the necessary clout will take up their cause, the ability to sway public opinion, and how the subject is presented in the media. NPA's recent call for reform reflects the realization by some professional and political organizations that the U.S. immigration system needs to be improved upon to better use international talent and resources for the overall benefit of science, technology, our economy, and our country.