To amend title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the diversity visa program and create a program that awards visas to aliens with an advanced degree in science mathematics, technology, or engineering.

SA 4114. Mr. GREGG (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Alexander, and Mr.
Bond) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill
S. 2611, to provide comprehensive immigration reform and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 345, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following:
(e) Worldwide Level of Immigrants With Advanced Degrees.--
Section 201 (8 U.S.C. 1151) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by inserting ``and immigrants
with advanced degrees'' after ``diversity immigrants''; and
(2) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
``(e) Worldwide Level of Diversity Immigrants and
Immigrants With Advanced Degrees.--
``(1) Diversity immigrants.--The worldwide level of
diversity immigrants described in section 203(c)(1) is equal
to 18,333 for each fiscal year.
``(2) Immigrants with advanced degrees.--The worldwide
level of immigrants with advanced degrees described in
section 203(c)(2) is equal to 36,667 for each fiscal year.''.
(f) Immigrants With Advanced Degrees.--Section 203 (8
U.S.C. 1153(c)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2), aliens
subject to the worldwide level specified in section 201(e)''
and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3), aliens subject to the
worldwide level specified in section 201(e)(1)'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively;
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Aliens who hold an advanced degree in science,
mathematics, technology, or engineering.--
``(A) In general.--Qualified immigrants who hold a master's
or doctorate degree in the life sciences, the physical
sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering from an
accredited university in the United States, or an equivalent
foreign degree, shall be allotted visas each fiscal year in a
number not to exceed the worldwide level specified in section
201(e)(2).
``(B) Economic considerations.--Beginning on the date which
is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph,
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce and the Secretary of Labor, and after notice and
public hearing, shall determine which of the degrees
described in subparagraph (A) will provide immigrants with
the knowledge and skills that are most needed to meet
anticipated workforce needs and protect the economic security
of the United States.'';
(D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking ``this
subsection'' each place it appears and inserting ``paragraph
(1)''; and
(E) by amending paragraph (4), as redesignated, to read as
follows:
``(4) Maintenance of information.--
``(A) Diversity immigrants.--The Secretary of State shall
maintain information on the age, occupation, education level,
and other relevant characteristics of immigrants issued visas
under paragraph (1).
``(B) Immigrants with advanced degrees.--The Secretary of
State shall maintain information on the age, degree
(including field of study), occupation, work experience, and
other relevant characteristics of immigrants issued visas
under paragraph (2).''; and
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(c)'' and inserting
``(c)(1)'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Immigrant visas made available under subsection
(c)(2) shall be issued as follows:
``(A) If the Secretary of State has not made a
determination under subsection (c)(2)(B), immigrant visas
shall be issued in a strictly random order established by the
Secretary for the fiscal year involved.
``(B) If the Secretary of State has made a determination
under subsection (c)(2)(B) and the number of eligible
qualified immigrants who have a degree selected under such
subsection and apply for an immigrant visa described in
subsection (c)(2) is greater than the worldwide level
specified in section 201(e)(2), the Secretary shall issue
immigrant visas only to such immigrants and in a strictly
random order established by the Secretary for the fiscal year
involved.
``(C) If the Secretary of State has made a determination
under subsection (c)(2)(B) and the number of eligible
qualified immigrants who have degrees selected under such
subsection and apply for an immigrant visa described in
subsection (c)(2) is not greater than the worldwide level
specified in section 201(e)(2), the Secretary shall--
``(i) issue immigrant visas to eligible qualified
immigrants with degrees selected in subsection (c)(2)(B); and
``(ii) issue any immigrant visas remaining thereafter to
other eligible qualified immigrants with degrees described in
subsection

[[Page S4975]]

(c)(2)(A) in a strictly random order established by the
Secretary for the fiscal year involved.''.
(g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (e)
and (f) shall take effect on October 1, 2006.
______