PHDs First Act

This bill would make it easier for some people with U.S. doctoral degrees to become permanent residents and would let certain doctoral students keep studying even if they plan to stay in the U.S. long-term.

Key points:

• Who is affected: People who earned a doctoral degree (or the highest terminal degree in a field without a doctorate) while physically in the U.S. at an accredited U.S. college or university, and students in U.S. doctoral programs.
• What changes:
  • These degree holders could get permanent resident status without being counted under the usual yearly limits, if they have a U.S. job offer in a related field that pays above the local median wage and they have an approved labor certification.
  • Doctoral students on student visas could get, extend, or change their status even if they plan to apply for permanent resident status later (“dual intent”).
  • The bill also updates the procedures used to grant this immigration status.

Overall, it aims to keep highly educated graduates in the U.S. workforce while allowing doctoral students to study without risking their future plans to become permanent residents.