Opening the Door: Appealing to America’s international college graduates
Earlier this month, the Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica(ESSJ) highlighted a daunting trend that went unnoticed, for most. Over the last decade, the country has recorded a 17 per cent decline in birthrate. At one point, this fact might have been celebrated – less births in a relatively poor country, has historically meant fewer mouths to feed and a greater investment in each child that is born. However, as we continue to see significant outflows from migration, a downward trend in births has the potential to hollow out the human capital stock of the nation. While it is necessary and worthwhile to try and push against the tide of these measures, we must also consider what can be done to attract bright minds to our shores. One key demographic that could be courted are America’s international college graduates. Foreign students in America face a uniquely challenging situation as they try to enter the labour force (as many Jamaican students know). The F-1 visa, on which most international students rely, does not allow for employment anywhere off campus, limiting the opportunities they have to gain professional experience while in school. However, the real struggle begins after graduation. Most students have access to only one year of work authorization, under their OPT (optional practical training). STEM graduates, typically, manage to attain a two-year extension, though they often spend both of these extra years vying for a six-year visa in the skilled worker lottery. This lottery, called the H-1B lottery, has a cap at 65,000 workers a year – and many good workers simply lose the luck of the draw.
One key demographic that could be courted are America’s international college graduates. Foreign students in America face a uniquely challenging situation as they try to enter the labor force (as many Jamaican students know). The F-1 visa, on which most international students rely, does not allow for employment anywhere off campus, limiting the opportunities they have to gain professional experience while in school. However, the real struggle begins after graduation. Most students have access to only one year of work authorisation, under their OPT (optional practical training). STEM graduates typically manage to attain a 2-year extension, though they often spend both of these extra year vying for a six year visa in the skilled worker lottery. This lottery, called the H-1B lottery, has a cap at 65,000 workers a year – and many good workers simply lose the luck of the draw.
The entire process is typically filled with great anxiety and uncertainty. And yet, this is where Jamaica could position itself. As the third largest English speaking country in the Western hemisphere, which shares a time zone with the US East Coast, Jamaican can be a great destination for graduates facing displacement. Many international graduates default to returning home when the lottery doesn’t go their way – while others scramble to find a willing third country. Much can be gained by simply declaring that Jamaica’s door is open, and building a process that gets residency approved quickly and predictably. Barbados proved this approach works with its Welcome Stamp – Jamaica can take the lead in using it to drive real development. As multinational behemoths, like KPMG, add hundreds of positions to their Jamaican offices, promoting a healthy flow of high-skill employees from the mainland can only strengthen the local business ecosystem.
As a small country in a global economy, Jamaica is often fighting against the tide of better pay and opportunities abroad. However, the US’s need to protect its local laborers provides the rare occasion where labor dynamics may play to our advantage. It is worth embracing.
Shua McLean (@shuakym) is a Master of Public Affairs student at Princeton University, concentrating in International Development. He writes regularly on issues of public finance, economic development, and public-sector reform.
