H.R. 6487 — SECURE STEM Act

This section prohibits (1) the Secretary of State from issuing visas to, and the Secretary of Homeland Security from admitting, covered foreign nationals seeking admission under covered visa categories; and (2) national research laboratories from employing covered foreign nationals present in the United States under covered visa categories on the date of enactment. It authorizes the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly to waive these prohibitions for a specific individual if determined to be in the national interest.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to submit a biannual report to the House Committees on the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committees on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations covering waivers granted under section 2(c) during the previous 180-day period. The report must include (1) the total number of such waivers granted, (2) a summary of the justification for each waiver, and (3) biographical information about each recipient, including any prior affiliation with foreign state-sponsored institutions.

This section defines, for purposes of the Act, the terms (1) covered visa category as nonimmigrant visas issued under specified INA provisions—H-1B, O-1, J visas, and F, J, or M student visas; (2) covered foreign national as an alien who is a national of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba; and (3) national research laboratory as a federal laboratory, as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (i.e., any laboratory, federally funded R&D center, or center under 15 U.S.C. 3705 or 3707 that is owned, leased, or used by a federal agency and funded by the federal government).

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to issue rules as necessary to implement the Act not later than 90 days after enactment.