The next four years may be challenging for foreign-born scientists who want to work in the United States. Foreign-born workers account for about half of the doctoral-level scientists and engineers working in the U.S., but the incoming Trump administration wants to make it harder for them to get H-1B visas.
These visas allow many scientists and engineers – including Elon Musk before he became a citizen – to work in the U.S.. But Trump has said he sees the visas as as a way to replace U.S. workers with cheaper foreign labor.
Some scientists worry a scarcity of H-1B visas may prompt top foreign researchers to work in other countries and make it harder for research institutions, universities and tech firms in the U.S. to find enough highly educated workers.
Read more of science correspondent Jon Hamilton’s reporting here.
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This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and edited by our showrunner, Rebecca Ramirez. Jon Hamilton checked the facts. The audio engineer was Jimmy Keeley.
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