Story perspectives

Trump Policies Hinder High-Skilled Immigrant Contributions to Economy

1/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump policies have made it harder for high-skilled immigrants and international students to contribute to the economy.
From 1990 to 2010, foreign STEM workers accounted for 30%–50% of U.S. productivity growth.
Recent measures include high visa fees and restrictions on student visas that threaten this talent pool.
The federal workforce has lost over 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) has seen a 40% decline in experts.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration Act of 1990, signed by President George H. W. Bush, reformed U.S. immigration policy by increasing skilled worker visas to 140,000 annually and establishing the Diversity Visa program. This act allowed foreign STEM workers to significantly boost U.S. productivity. However, recent policies under President Donald Trump, including visa restrictions, threaten this talent pool, impacting U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump policies have made it harder for high-skilled immigrants and international students to contribute to the economy.
From 1990 to 2010, foreign STEM workers accounted for 30%–50% of U.S. productivity growth.
Recent measures include high visa fees and restrictions on student visas that threaten this talent pool.
The federal workforce has lost over 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) has seen a 40% decline in experts.

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