Presented by Science Alliance
eBriefing 
Navigating Immigration and Visa Issues: A Primer for Postdocs and Young Scientists
Presented By
Overview
Science education and research is a global endeavor. The recently released NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates reported that 33% of the 41,000 PhDs awarded in science and engineering in the U.S. in 2008 went to non-U.S. citizen visa holders. What is more, these highly skilled and trained scientists are not leaving, with a separate study by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) finding that 62% of foreigners who came to the U.S. for their doctorates were still working here five years later. The implication then is that a large part of the scientific workforce in the U.S. consists of and relies upon foreign talent.
These statistics supporting the role of the U.S. in the globalization of academic science belie a common impediment that foreign scientists face: a challenging visa process that has seen a recent resurgence in delays for students and a low cap on permanent-resident visas for those aspiring to remain and work here. For international scientists, the immigration and visa process in the U.S. is a legitimate concern.
To help international science PhDs understand the intricacies involved in studying and working in the US, Science Alliance hosted the event "Navigating Immigration and Visa Issues: A Primer for Postdocs and Young Scientists" March 8, 2010, at the Academy. Leading the discussion were Suzanne Seltzer, Partner, and Kate Kalmykov, Associate, from Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP, a law firm that specializes in immigration and nationality law. In their talk, they stepped through the alphabet of visa options available to foreign scientists, from H-1Bs, O-1s and J-1 Waivers, and addressed factors for those wishing to establish permanent residence status.
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Speakers
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP
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Suzanne B. Seltzer is partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP. Seltzer chairs the American Immigration Lawyers's (AILA) Vermont Service Center (VSC) Liaison Committee, is a member of AILA's Service Center Operations Liaison Committee, and is a member of AILA's Annual Conference Planning Committee. In addition to her role on AILA committees, Seltzer is a regulatory ombudsman for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, is on the steering committee of the New York Anti-Trafficking Network, and Co-Chairs its legal subcommittee. Seltzer regularly speaks and publishes on matters relating to immigration law. She obtained her JD from Georgetown University Law Center, and her BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kate Kalmykov, Esq.
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP
e-mail | web site
Kate Kalmykov, an associate in the Firm's New York City office, focuses her practice on business immigration. Kalmykov has extensive experience working with various human resources departments on employment verification and worksite enforcement matters including I-9 and H-1B audits. Kalmykov also works with corporate clients, hospitals, and universities on providing creative immigration solutions to visa and work authorization needs of their employees including persons of extraordinary ability, managers and executives, professionals, treaty investors and traders as well as corporate trainees. Kalmykov also works with individuals on obtaining waivers of the J-1 two year home residency requirement and National Interest waivers. Kalmykov received her JD from the American University and is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. A member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Kalmykov chairs the New York Chapter's Continuing Legal Education committee and serves as secretary of the Chapter's District Director Liaison committee.