1116 



The major factor in the decline in immigrant scientists and engineers 

 in 1971 and 1972 was believed to be the revision of regulations by the 

 Department of Labor after February 4, 1972 to require certification 

 of scientists and engineers for employment. Certification is given if 

 the alien's employment does not adversely affect wages and working 

 conditions of domestic workers similarly employed and if he has a job 

 offer for which domestic workers are not available. 



A striking feature of the immigration of scientists and engineers 

 in 1972 is the continuation of the trend towards the entry of large 

 numbers from Asia, that is, the "Far East, Near and Middle East" — 

 more than 7 of every 10 immigrants. Of the 8,200 Asian immigrants 

 3,567 were from India and 1,540 from the Philippines. The inflow 

 from India was about 16 percent below its 1971 total : the 1972 influx 

 from the Philippines was about the same as that for 1971. The 21 per- 

 cent increase from Korea was the only substantial increased inflow 

 from either the Eastern or Western Hemisphere.^^^ 



Of the total 11,323 scientists and engineers in the fiscal year 1972, 

 9,581 appear to have been drawn from the LDCs. In the fiscal year 

 1971, 11,102 of the total of 13,102 scientists and engineers seem to have 

 had LDCs as their country source. In the fiscal year 1971, only 2,000 

 of the total of 13,102 scientists and engineers entered from Germany, 

 the United Kingdom, "other" countries of Western Europe, Eastern 

 Europe, and Canada. In the fiscal year 1972, the total for these coun- 

 tries declined to 1,773 of the 11,323 entering. 



The immigration of physicians and surgeons between 1971 and 1972 

 increased by 24 percent, from 5,748 in 1971 to 7,143 in 1972. In great 

 measure this rise reflects the increase of 24 percent in the inflow from 

 the Far East, from 3,946 to 4,875. By far the largest number of im- 

 migrants from any country in any year came from India, a growth of 

 70 percent between 1971 (1,057) and 1972 (1,802). The Philippine and 

 Korean inflows, though still substantial, each decreased nonetheless, 

 about 20 percent, from 1.040 in 1971 to 831 in 1972 for the Philippines 

 and from 999 to 810 for Korea. The 57 percent increase in physicians 

 and surgeons from the Near and Middle East (434, 1971; 683, 1972) 

 was caused largelv by the increase of inflow from Iran. The inflows 

 from Africa (222!^ 1971; 259. 1972). Central America (283, 1971; 259, 

 1972) and South America (259, 1971; 264, 1972) remained largely 

 unchanged.^^2 Qf <-he total of 7,143 physicians and surgeons entering in 

 1972, 6,462 anpear to have been from' the LDCs. Of the total of 5,748 

 entering in 1971, 5,213 appear to have been from the LDCs. 



In 1971, only 575 physicians and surgeons of the total of 5,748 

 entered from Germany, the United Kingdom, "Other" Western Euro- 

 pean countries. Eastern Europe and Canada. In 1972, the number 

 entering from these areas increased but still to a proportionately low 

 681. 



WTiat seems equally significant among the data presented in the NSF 

 report that shows heavy drains from the LDCs is that relating to 

 aliens who adjusted to an immigrant status. This is perhaps one of the 

 best indicators of brain drain through the nonimmigrant international 



iMIbid., pp. 1-2. 

 i«" Ibid., p. 2. 



