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Most of America’s Top Science Students Are Children of Immigrants
A recent study highlights the remarkable role immigrants and their offspring play in America’s educational success story. While heartbreaking headlines about families of undocumented immigrants dominate the news, the implications of strict immigration policies—like tougher H-1B visa requirements—may have lasting effects on future generations. Remarkably, children of immigrants constitute the brightest science students in the nation.
According to a study by the National Foundation for American Policy, a non-profit organization dedicated to public policy research on trade and immigration, 83% of the finalists (33 out of 40) in the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search hailed from immigrant families. Notably, 30 of the finalists had parents who initially arrived on H-1B visas and later transitioned to green card holders or U.S. citizens. Forbes points out that even though former H-1B visa holders make up less than 1% of the U.S. population, they were four times more likely to have a finalist in the Intel competition compared to U.S.-born parents.
The prestigious competition, which underwent a name change to the Regeneron Science Talent Search this year, has been organized by the Society for Science & the Public—a nonprofit committed to advancing science education—since 1942. Among the finalists, 14 had parents from India, and 11 came from China, with representation from countries such as Canada, Cyprus, Iran, Japan, Nigeria, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Only seven finalists were the children of U.S.-born parents.
Finalists expressed heartfelt gratitude for their parents’ sacrifices. “Witnessing my parents’ journey to provide a better life has motivated me to strive for excellence. This is truly the land of opportunity,” shared Jamie Nguyen, whose father came to the U.S. on an H-1B visa.
The accomplishments of these young scholars are astonishing. Amol Patel took home the top prize for creating software aimed at aiding pharmaceutical companies in the battle against cancer and heart disease. Maya Lee was recognized for her groundbreaking invention of a low-cost, smartphone-based lung function analyzer, utilizing just $35 worth of hobbyist electronics along with free computer-aided design tools. Talk about impressive!
Researchers noted that personal experiences often shaped the finalists’ research directions. One student sought to grow human kidneys from stem cells after witnessing his mother’s kidney transplant journey and his own diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease. Another finalist, inspired by her aunt’s epilepsy, developed software to forecast seizures.
The study highlights a crucial point: by restricting high-skilled immigrants from entering the U.S., we risk losing not only their contributions but also the future innovations their children could bring. Currently, the annual cap for H-1B visas stands at 85,000, with applicants entering a lottery for a chance at this coveted visa. Despite the rigorous eligibility standards, there’s a compelling case for increasing the number of available H-1B visas. Yet, recent administrative moves are making the process more cumbersome, including proposals to favor the highest bidders.
U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that starting April 3, they will temporarily halt premium processing for all H-1B petitions, meaning applicants will have to endure processing times of up to 8-12 months instead of opting for a speedy 15-day service.
The contributions of immigrants extend beyond just the top-tier students; they encompass future teachers, nurses, lawyers, professors, artists, entrepreneurs, chefs, doctors, engineers, and exceptional individuals across various fields. Immigrants are the backbone of this nation, embodying the true essence of what makes America great.
“It may sound cliché, but the future truly belongs to our children,” the study concluded. For more insights, check out this article on our privacy policy.
In summary, the accomplishments of children of immigrants in science highlight how vital these families are to America’s future. The ongoing challenges posed by immigration policies threaten not only the individuals but also the potential of future generations.