How Is Cyber Security Related to Immigration and the IDEA Act?

 Posted on October 18, 2019 in Immigration

In the United States, October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Established by the National Cyber Security Division within the Department of Homeland Security and the nonprofit National Cyber Security Alliance, it raises awareness about the importance of cyber security. There is no doubt that our society has become increasingly reliant on technology to perform many kinds of tasks, from navigation to mobile banking to even robotic surgery. Many career paths now focus on science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM), which can directly impact advances in the field of cyber security. Recent legislation has made it possible for those people wishing to immigrate to the United States to potentially seek asylum through STEM education.

What Is the IDEA Act?

The Immigration Driving Entrepreneurship in America (IDEA) Act allows individuals receiving advanced degrees in the STEM fields from acclaimed American universities to seek green cards. It grants green cards to entrepreneurs with a certain amount of venture capital funds who agree to open their start-up businesses in the United States or who can show that their company has created a minimum of 10 new jobs for American workers.

It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a priority worker immigrant visa for a foreign national who has the following qualifying conditions:

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from an American university or college
• Employment offer from a U.S. employer

The primary mission of the IDEA Act is to:

• Help U.S. companies attract and retain highly qualified workers by allowing them to obtain Green Cards for graduates with advanced degrees in STEM fields from distinguished American universities.
• Allow foreign students to seek a Green Card with the option to transition to a temporary work visa. This is also known as “dual intent.”
• Permit undocumented students who are enrolled in school full-time to apply for temporary student visas if they entered the United States at age 15 or younger.
• Attract new companies by awarding Green Cards to entrepreneurs with substantial venture capital funds who agree to open their start-ups in the United States.
• Fix the employment-based immigration system by recapturing unused Green Cards, eliminating backlogs, and streamlining regulations.

Contact an Illinois Immigration Attorney

Our nation’s security is at the forefront of many political agendas. Advances in technology over the past decade have helped increase our country’s cyber security. Many people from other countries have valuable experience in the tech industry. The IDEA Act can help an immigrant with a STEM degree to seek a Green Card. The Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices have successfully handled many types of immigration cases. Our knowledgeable Illinois immigration attorneys can explain how the IDEA Act may help you or a loved one who is trying to immigrate to the United States. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 630-932-9100.