Debate Over Keeping "High-Value" Immigrants in US

The US Congress is considering legislation which would allow illegal immigrant students studying highly valued scientific disciplines to remain in the country. But the bill faces hurdles -- especially in an election year.

Published

over 1 year ago

Categories

US, US Politics

Topics

Politics & Government, United States

People

Barack Obama

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United States of America

Tags

immigration, student visa, legislation, michael bennet, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, undocumented immigrants, student, us congress, us government, immigration reform, immigrant

Transcript

SCRIPT: <br></br><br></br>These immigration activists are holding a pray-in inside Colorado's state capitol, part of a strategy to draw attention to the plight of students who live in the US -- illegally. <br></br><br></br>21-year-old Belen Colin is an undocumented immigrant. She came to the US from Mexico with her parents when she was only nine – and now is a student in mechanical engineering. <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 1 Belen Colin (woman), Mechanical Engineering student, Metro State College of Denver (English, 10 sec): <br></br>"Undocumented students who graduate from high school // want to prove that our parents risked everything for a reason. We don't just want to finish high school, drop out and work at a low-skilled job." <br></br><br></br>UPSOUND "Let's at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people…." <br></br><br></br>In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for legislation to help those like Colin stay in the US – and contribute to the economy. <br></br><br></br>US Senator Michael Bennet has introduced a bill to allow undocumented students studying science, technology, engineering or math - so-called STEM subjects – at university level to apply for temporary student visas. <br></br><br></br>It would also give permanent residency to some students already holdings visas, like neuroscientist Wolfgang Pauli, who are on course to graduate with advanced STEM degrees <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 2 Wolfgang Pauli (man), PhD Graduate, CU Boulder (English, 9 sec): <br></br>"It really doesn't seem to make sense to spend hundreds-of-thousands of dollars on an education for a foreigner // and then send them back home right after they get the degrees." <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 3 Michael Bennet (man), US Senator (D) Colorado (English, 8 sec): <br></br>"I've heard from high-tech companies all over my state, and all over the country for that matter, that they have vacancies that they're unable to fill." <br></br><br></br>But opponents fear extending visas to foreign nationals, regardless of their academic achievements, will take opportunities away from native-born Americans. <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 4 Stan Weekes (man), Director, Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform (English, 6 sec): <br></br>"We already provide over a million green cards a year // this is all about jobs and who gets them. And the bottom line is that we need to preserve jobs for American citizens first and foremost." <br></br><br></br>Meanwhile, many illegal immigrants at this gathering say they're hopeful that the law will one day offer them a path to US citizenship. <br></br><br></br>But with the 2012 election season in full swing, and immigration again a divisive issue in the campaign, many know their American dream may still be a long way from coming true. <br></br><br></br>SHOTLIST: <br></br><br></br>DENVER, COLORADO, DECEMBER 15, 2011, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>- Prayer circle wide through arch <br></br>- Various prayer circle cutaways <br></br>- Colorado and US flags <br></br>- Colin set-up <br></br>- SOUNDBITE 1 Belen Colin <br></br><br></br>WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2012, SOURCE: WHITE HOUSE <br></br>** NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** <br></br>- President Obama at State of the Union <br></br><br></br>WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 21, 2011, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>- Michael Bennet set-up various <br></br><br></br>BOULDER, COLORADO, JANUARY 12, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>- Wolfgang Pauli set-up various <br></br>- SOUNDBITE 2 Wolfgang Pauli <br></br><br></br>WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 21, 2011, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>- SOUNDBITE 3 Michael Bennet <br></br><br></br>BOULDER, COLORADO, JANUARY 12, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>- Push to CU Boulder sign <br></br>- Tight on CU Boulder sign <br></br><br></br>DENVER, COLORADO, JANUARY 12, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>-SOUNDBITE 4 Stan Weekes <br></br><br></br>DENVER, COLORADO, DECEMBER 15, 2011, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br>- Prayer circle wide <br></br>- Various prayer circle cutaways