The Trump administration threatens to end Optional Practical Training (OPT), allowing international students to stay in the country for up to three years after graduation.
The United States is a popular study destination for international students due to programs like Optional Practical Training and Curricular Practical Training, enabling temporary work after graduation.
The US education system for international students may undergo significant changes under the administration of President Trump or could even be ended.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows overseas students with an F1 visa to work in jobs related to their field of study. OPT allows students to work for up to 12 months after graduation, while STEM graduates (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) can apply for an additional 24 months, for a total of 36 months.
Some people claim that OPT and CPT have been overused. Jessica Vaughan, a policy specialist, submitted a report to Congress urging harsher immigration policies. She claims that some colleges have taken advantage of these initiatives, forming bogus organizations that allow students to work illegally.
There is no proper oversight to ensure companies follow labor laws. These programs are now the largest guest worker programs in the U.S., with 540,000 former students working without strong regulations.
Jessica suggests more regulation of schools that issue student visas (I-20 forms). She also suggested that schools with high numbers of students overstaying their visas may lose permission to enroll international students. Jessica asks for possible elimination or stricter control of OPT and CPT, as they were never officially approved by Congress.
According to Jessica, America requires tighter procedures to prevent student visa misuse, as many F1 and M1 visa holders remain in the United States illegally after their visas expire. F and M visas have the highest overstay rates of any temporary immigration category.
Students from 32 countries had overstay rates above 20%. Brazil, China, Colombia, and India all have more than 2,000 students who have overstayed in the United States. In 2023, 7,000 Indian students were the most likely to overstay their student visa.
If these suggestions become legislation, foreign students may be denied the opportunity to work in the United States after graduation. International students may face higher visa restrictions, making the process of obtaining a student visa (I-20 form) more complex. These changes may have an impact on your plans as an international student who wants to study or work in the United States. It is vital to stay up to date on American immigration rules.
