Sponsors (5)
The bill prioritizes national security by restricting and closely monitoring certain foreign nationals' access to U.S. research and employment, at the cost of disrupting researchers and institutions, raising administrative burdens, and creating risks to fairness, privacy, and consistent implementation.
U.S. national security: The bill limits entry and employment of certain foreign nationals from specified countries to reduce perceived risks of technology transfer or espionage.
Permits case-by-case national-interest waivers so trusted individuals essential to U.S. research and operations can still be admitted or employed.
Improves congressional oversight and transparency by requiring regular reporting on who receives waivers and why, helping lawmakers identify and track potential security risks.
Noncitizen researchers, students, and technical staff from the named countries may be denied visas or barred from U.S. labs, causing career disruptions, family hardship, and blocked collaborations.
U.S. employers, national laboratories, and research projects risk losing specialized talent, slowing research and innovation and increasing costs for federal contractors and universities.
Significant new administrative burdens and costs for federal agencies, universities, and employers to implement restrictions, prepare biannual reports, verify nationality/visa status, and process waivers.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Bars nationals of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba from certain nonimmigrant STEM-related visas and from employment at federal research labs, with a narrow joint waiver and required biannual waiver reporting to Congress.
Introduced December 5, 2025 by Pat Harrigan · Last progress December 5, 2025
Prohibits nationals of five designated countries from receiving or using certain nonimmigrant visas to enter or remain in the United States for STEM study or work and bars national research laboratories from employing those same visa holders who are present in the U.S. on the date of enactment, unless a narrow joint National Interest Waiver is granted by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security. Requires biannual reporting to Congress about any waivers granted, including justifications and biographical details, and directs agencies to issue implementing rules within 90 days.