A 26-year-old computer engineering graduate is speaking out after receiving a final rejection of her Optional Practical Training (OPT) application, a decision that she says jeopardises her health, career, and entire future.
In a social media post, the woman who has multiple sclerosis and who recently completed her degree in the US described a harrowing ordeal with the immigration system while also battling a chronic, life-altering illness. “I’m not trying to game the system or break the law,” she wrote. “I just want to survive, continue my treatment, and not have everything I’ve worked for ripped away.”
Why was her OPT application rejected?
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during her college years, the applicant underwent intense immunosuppressive treatment akin to chemotherapy while managing a full academic load. Despite her health battles, she graduated on time and secured a job offer in her field before finishing school, seemingly poised to begin a new chapter under the OPT program, which allows international students to work in the US for up to a year post-graduation.
But a series of procedural missteps and medical emergencies unravelled her plans. According to her post, her first OPT application was denied after she applied before her university had updated her SEVIS record. The application had been expedited and rejected within a week. A month later, while preparing to reapply, she experienced a flare-up of her MS that left her bedridden. Her second application, submitted by her then-partner via USPS, was never received by USCIS.
“I was told they never got it,” she wrote. “I waited again, reapplied and got denied because I missed the deadline by a few hours.”
In her final attempt, she hired an immigration attorney and followed every instruction meticulously. Still, USCIS denied the application, this time without the possibility of appeal. Now, she faces the prospect of leaving the US entirely, despite being in the middle of an essential healthcare regimen and with no immediate support system abroad.
“This isn’t a situation where I can just hop on a plane and start over,” she wrote. “I have no money, no family here, and I’m still receiving care for a debilitating condition. I’ve spent years building a life, and it’s being erased over paperwork.” “I just want a fair shot,” she said. “After everything I’ve survived, I can’t believe it’s bureaucracy that’s about to break me.”
‘Really sorry to hear this’
Netizens poured in their opinions regarding the rejection. A user noted, “I’m very sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, if you applied before OPT was recommended in SEVIS, your first denial was justified. There is no rule that you must wait 30 days to re-apply for OPT, so I would have recommended you re-apply immediately. Like another poster said, I also would NOT have recommended applying via mail since the online option is available and your application is receipted essentially immediately. “
Further the user noted, “At the very least, if you have no option but to apply by mail we would always recommend getting a tracking number so you can ensure it was delivered and when. If you’ve already worked with an attorney to appeal and the denial is final, our only recommendations from this point on would be to begin another degree program with hopes to use OPT in the future. As someone with a chronic illness as well, I deeply empathize with you but unfortunately not much can be done in this scenario.”
Another noted, “Make sure you are still in your grace period, because if you are past your 60 day grace period, I dont think you have any other option, other than leave the country.” “If you can, perhaps consider day 1 cpt or a masters degree. Fingers crossed that things work out,” added a netizen.
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