I hear from experts I trust that the US is low on STEM grads. From my study of US colleges graduating way too many worthless majors to maintain revenue(see my old post on this), I believe this to be true. But then others I trust such as point to abuse of the program. I was speaking to a friend of mine who has 4 kids, all engineers, and they have JOBS JOBS JOBS. One got paid for three months until a the contract started because the company could not risk to waiting to hire.
STEM grads from the US who are US citizens have a terrible time getting jobs.
Census Bureau Reports Majority of STEM College Graduates Do Not Work in STEM Occupations
So...there are now becoming fewer US citizen STEM grads.
I testify to you from my own experience that South Asians are hired in STEM occupations because they are not only competitive, but are also CHEAPER. I see them a whole lot.
Your friend’s kids were smart. They did not major in cultural studies.