The House of Representatives voted last week to reduce visa restrictions for foreigners who obtain advanced degrees from American universities, frustrating Democrats who said the proposed rules still excluded too many people deserving of  visas. Their concerns mean the bill is unlikely to pass the Democratically-controlled Senate despite pleas from major business groups that lawmakers ensure more skilled workers can stay in the U.S.

The bill, also known as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Jobs Act, passed with 245 votes to 139. It would eradicate the lottery system for green cards that is currently in place and instead allow for 55,000 visas for foreign graduates of U.S. universities with doctoral and master's degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics, making for a more economically strategic policy.

"Our immigration system does not always put American interests first. We have the most generous level of legal immigration in the world but we select only 5% of our immigrants based on the skills and education they bring to America," the website of the House stated.

The bill went on to say that it would help prevent skilled foreign graduates from going to work for global competitors.

It is certainly a preview of the divided Congress' larger battle over changing immigration policy.

With only 27 Democrats in affirmation of the bill, the New York Times reported that it "stands little chance of advancing in the Senate, where Democrats have control." In addition, the White House, fearful of sending the wrong message to those in favor of more relaxed immigration laws, promptly announced its opposition to the policy change, saying that it was "too narrowly tailored" and did not align with President Obama's vision for "a more comprehensive approach."

On the other hand, the country has been crying out for a measure to enable the easy immigration of "skilled workers" for years, though critics say that perhaps education levels shouldn't be the only indicator.

"Perhaps it would be better if our immigration policies were less about politics, and ethnic constituencies, and more about gaining specific skills and abilities from other countries, including from Mexico’s growing ranks of educated and skilled workers," wrote Forbes contributor Joel Kotkin in a post published earlier this year, entitled "U.S. Desperately Needs Immigrants And A Strategy To Get The Right Ones."

"But skills should not be conflated merely with university degrees. Education is no longer a guarantor of productivity; the degree, once a sign of distinction, has become a commodity," he wrote.

Given its advanced degree requirement, the STEM Jobs Act may be argued as a line between the "skilled" and the "highly skilled." However, leaders from both parties see the issue of immigration reform as one of the largest on the docket come January, when the new Congress will convene.

According to the New York Times, Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan) called the bill “a naked attempt to satisfy anti-immigrant groups," while Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) said, "It does not solve all the problems. But it takes a huge step."  

Reach Assistant News Editor Michelle Toh here.