President Opposes GOP Visa Reform Bill

Wants comprehensive immigration changes, not piecemeal adjustments

The Obama administration on Wednesday announced its opposition to an immigration bill by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) that is designed to boost the number of visas for foreign-born graduates with advanced technical degrees from U.S. universities, saying it fails to fulfill the President's long-term goal of achieving comprehensive immigration reform. 

The House is slated to vote on Smith's bill, the STEM Jobs Act, on Friday. The bill is expected to win backing from GOP members and pass the House, but likely won't see action in the Senate.