&gt; It&#x27;s pretty clear that some fields and paths to graduate study in the US are far more open to non-citizens than others, and that visa programs targeting STEM fields do provide an extra incentive for non-citizens to go into STEM graduate programs rather than other study paths. This doesn&#x27;t make it the only reason, or the main motivation, but I&#x27;d say it is a motivating factor to go to grad school.<p>What? This is the weirdest reason I&#x27;ve seen about why foreigners do STEM. Are you suggesting that it is because it is easier for them to get visas in STEM?!?<p>You are clearly ignorant of the gaping difference between STEM and non-STEM education in India and China. There are too many good STEM schools and too few non-STEM programs in these two countries for there to be any other reason for people doing STEM in US grad schools.<p>I continue to be surprised by the casual anti-immigrant bigotry on HN. Stating that they choose STEM because it is easier to get visas sure is an unfair stereotyping and second guessing of someone&#x27;s motives based on their ethnicity.