# 119-hr-4867: PHDs First Act

119-hr-4867, PHDs First Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4867
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4867
- Congress: 119
- Title: PHDs First Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-08-01
- Sponsor: Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Policy area: Immigration
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Creates a path to permanent residency for people who earn U.S. doctoral or equivalent terminal degrees and allows doctoral students to pursue green-card intent while studying.** The bill would tie that exemption to U.S. accreditation, work in a field related to the degree, a wage above the local median, and an approved labor certification.

## Cosponsors (2)

- Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] (R-NY), 2025-08-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8] (D-IL), 2025-08-05T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Green card cap relief for U.S. doctoral grads: benefit, high. If enacted, some U.S.-trained doctoral graduates could be exempt from green card number caps. You would need a doctorate (or terminal highest degree) earned while physically in the U.S. at an accredited U.S. institution. You would also need a U.S. job or job offer in your field that pays above the…
- Dual intent visas for doctoral students: benefit, low. If enacted, doctoral students could get or keep an F student visa even if they plan to seek a green card. You must be a bona fide student in a doctoral or terminal-degree program at an accredited U.S. institution.
- File employment green card petitions with Homeland Security: benefit, low. If enacted, some employment-based immigrant petitions could be filed with the Secretary of Homeland Security instead of the Attorney General. This would apply to 203(b)(2), 203(b)(3), and the new doctoral-exempt group. It is a filing process change, not a new benefit or funding.

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-6900: American Affordability Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-hr-6644: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-4867 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4867)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-6900: American Affordability Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6900)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9237)
- [119-hr-6644: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6644)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4867 (as of 2026-04-21).