Foreign workers could fill the current gap in our high-tech competition with China

When the world’s largest computer chip maker pledged to pump $40 billion into a production hub in Phoenix, it sparked optimism that the United States would remain a world leader in tech. But the huge investment has been slowed due mainly to “an insufficient amount of skilled workers,” according to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company chairman Mark Liu, who complained that his company would have to fly in “experienced technicians from Taiwan to train local workers.” He’s not alone in his concern.

A recent report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy found that the U.S. is losing its competitive advantage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the world’s second largest economy, which seeks to be No. 1. Its president, Xi Jinping, said his goal is to make the country a “global leader in terms of comprehensive national power and international influence,” and will stop at nothing to get there. 

Xi’s remarks illustrate our country’s need to secure and retain highly skilled workers who can keep the U.S. ahead. This talent race will determine the outcome of the military, economic and technological competition between the U.S. and the PRC and without the right expertise, we will not be able to sustain a robust military, strong economy or develop the technological breakthroughs to remain the most powerful nation in the world.

Recognizing the international competition for skilled workers, other countries are seeking ways to attract them to their shores. Canada recently implemented a new program recruiting high-skilled foreigners working in the U.S. to move to its country instead. On its first day, the program met its target of 10,000 applicants. Meanwhile, the German parliament just passed a law lowering immigration hurdles for top talent who wish to work there.

Yet, despite serious flaws in our system, the U.S. remains the country of choice for the world’s most talented experts in emerging fields. If we want to stay ahead, we need to make it easier for foreign high-tech workers to stay in the U.S. while we invest more in STEM education for American students and workers.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, almost all of its member companies of every size and industry across nearly every state face unparalleled challenges in finding workers to fill jobs. The latest numbers reveal there are 8.8 million job openings in the nation, but only 6.3 million unemployed workers to fill them. These continual labor shortages, stemming from America’s aging population combined with decreasing birth rates, require specific steps to guarantee a steady stream of skilled workers to fill in-demand jobs. Comprehensive policies geared towards retaining high-skilled immigrant workers with STEM skills would safeguard the nation’s ability to remain competitive while we ramp up our efforts to provide more Americans with the skills needed to fill these jobs.

First, we must attract and closely vet at least 10,000 researchers in emerging technologies each year for the next ten years. These experts would work on artificial intelligence, critical defense technologies and chips that go into every cell phone, laptop and machine in America. 

Second, the numerical ceiling placed on employment-based visas must be reformed so that spouses and minor children do not count towards the limit. Reports show the ceiling hinders our ability to recruit high-skilled immigrants and their families, causing them to wait decades for their green cards. We also need to exempt those who receive their STEM PhDs at U.S. universities from the numerical ceiling.

Finally, we must restructure our “dual intent” doctrine for international students so we can keep the bright minds we train here after they graduate. Under the current system, non-immigrants must declare their intent to return home after finishing their studies, which makes the U.S. less desirable to top talent and impedes our global competitive advantage. Many countries have redesigned their immigration and work policies to compete for students who have mastered the technical knowledge and skills in greatest demand. We need to do the same.

American competitiveness is built on our climate of openness and innovation, vested in our democracy that honors freedom and individual rights. We have a natural advantage in attracting the best and brightest from other nations versus a totalitarian, authoritarian regime such as Xi’s PRC. All that is necessary is to make a few policy changes to attract and retain high-skilled leaders from other countries while we invest in our education system to produce more of our own. It’s a race we cannot afford to lose.

Raja Krishnamoorthi is the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Communist Party of China.