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To provide lawful permanent resident status and authorized dual intent for certain doctoral degree holders.
Summary
This bill amends immigration law to create a new pathway for foreign nationals with doctoral degrees earned from U.S. accredited institutions to obtain lawful permanent resident status without being subject to annual numerical caps. To qualify, applicants must have a job offer or current employment with a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, earn at least the median wage for their occupational classification in their area, and have approved labor certification. The bill also allows foreign students pursuing doctoral degrees at U.S. institutions to maintain or extend student visas while intending to seek permanent residency, removing the current requirement that F-visa holders must demonstrate intent to return to their home country. These provisions are designed to streamline immigration pathways for highly educated foreign workers.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
2 cosponsors
Actions (2)
- Aug 1, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. · house
- Aug 1, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 1, 2025
Mr. Thanedar (for himself and Mr. Lawler) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To provide lawful permanent resident status and authorized dual intent for certain doctoral degree holders.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Putting Highest Degrees First Act of 2025” or the “PHDs First Act”.
SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FROM NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS ON PERMANENT RESIDENTS FOR CERTAIN DOCTORAL DEGREE HOLDERS.
(a) In General.—Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(F) Aliens who—
“(i) have earned a doctoral degree in a field of study (or the terminal highest degree awarded in a field of study for which a doctoral degree or its equivalent is not available) while physically present in the United States from a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099a et seq.);
“(ii) have an offer of employment from, or are employed by, a United States employer in a field related to such degree at a rate of pay that is higher than the median wage level for the occupational classification in the area of employment, as determined by the Secretary of Labor; and
“(iii) are admissible pursuant to an approved labor certification under section 212(a)(5)(A)(i).”.
(b) Procedure for Granting Immigration Status.—Section 204(a)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(F)) is amended by striking “203(b)(2)” and all that follows through “Attorney General” and inserting “203(b)(2), 203(b)(3), or 201(b)(1)(F) may file a petition with the Secretary of Homeland Security”.
(c) Dual Intent for F Nonimmigrants Seeking Doctoral Degrees at United States Institutions of Higher Education.—Notwithstanding sections 101(a)(15)(F)(i) and 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i), 1184(b)), an alien who is a bona fide student admitted to a program in a field for a doctoral degree or the terminal highest degree awarded in a field of study for which a doctoral degree or its equivalent is not available at a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099a et seq.) may obtain a student visa or extend or change nonimmigrant status to pursue such degree even if such alien intends to seek lawful permanent resident status in the United States. <all>
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