US Cracks Down On Students In Optional Practical Training. Here's Why
A large number of international students in the US, particularly those on Optional Practical Training (OPT), are receiving stern notices from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warning of possible SEVIS record termination and deportation. The warnings stem from missing or outdated employer information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks students' employment status.
OPT rules allow a maximum of 90 days of unemployment over the standard 12-month period, with an additional 60 days for students in the STEM-OPT extension.
The ICE letter gives students just 15 days to update their SEVIS records. If employment details remain missing, students could face removal proceedings. A letter reviewed by TOI reads: "Because there is no employer information in your SEVIS record, you are accumulating unemployment days... failure to take corrective action may result in immigration proceedings."
The Indian student community is particularly affected. Of the 2.7 lakh Indian students in the US in 2022-23, nearly 69,000 were in OPT programmes.
Immigration lawyers are urging students to report job changes, losses, and new employment within 10 days.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
40 minutes ago
- India Gazette
416 % increase in bank frauds under current government: claims Mallikarjun Kharge
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the Union Government on Friday and stated that bank frauds in the government have increased by 416 per cent. He stated that despite demonetisation in 2016, the fake Rs 500 currency notes have increased by 291 per cent. He said that no one knows what flows in the veins of Prime Minister Modi, but 'fraud and fakery' flows in the veins of his government. 'In the 11 years of the Modi government Rs bank frauds worth Rs 6,36,992 crore have taken place, which is an increase of 416%. Even after demonetisation, the number of fake currency notes of Rs 500 increased by 291% in the last 6 years. This year it is the highest. Modi Ji, we don't know what flows in your veins, but it is certain that Fraud & Fakery flows in the veins of your Government!', Kharge wrote in his 'X' post. On Thursday, Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led central government of consistently spreading misinformation about the economy to cover up its 'massive failures.' He claimed that over the past eleven years, the government has systematically weakened every sector of the Indian economy. In a post on X, Kharge wrote, 'The Modi government has made it a habit to spread lies about the economy to hide its gross failures! For 11 consecutive years, this incompetent government has been destroying every sector of the economy. The truth is here.' Earlier on Monday, Kharge had launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the government completed 11 years in office. The Congress president alleged that the Modi-led administration had 'ruined' the country and that its promise of 'achhe din' (good days) had turned into a 'dreadful dream.' He stated that a promise of doubling farmers' income was not fulfilled, so they had to eat rubber bullets, whereas women's security is currently in 'tatters.'Mallikarjun Kharge further alleged atrocities against the minorities of the country and believed that their participation in society is lost. (ANI)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Tiger Lunges At Tourist Posing For Photo In Terrifying On-Camera Moment
Last Updated: In the now widely circulated clip, the tourist is seen crouching beside the tiger, while a trainer stands nearby with a stick. What was meant to be a thrilling vacation photo quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal for an Indian tourist at Tiger Kingdom in Thailand's Phuket. While attempting to snap a selfie with a chained tiger, the man was suddenly attacked caught on video which has since gone viral. In the now widely circulated clip, the tourist is seen crouching beside the tiger, while a trainer stands nearby with a stick. Without warning, the tiger lashes out, sparking screams and panic among onlookers. The video ends abruptly as the camera captures the chaos. The tourist's identity hasn't been confirmed and there's been no official update on his condition, leaving many on social media deeply concerned. Tiger Kingdom is no stranger to controversy. The popular tourist attraction offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with tigers- posing for photos, petting them, and even feeding them but critics have long accused the facility of sedating the animals and compromising safety for the sake of Instagram-worthy moments. This incident has reignited debates about the ethics of wildlife tourism, with many urging stricter oversight. A user wrote on social media, 'Cats generally do not like being petted on the lower (back) body especially near butts. This man was petting the tiger continuously near above mentioned body area which must have frustrated the tiger. Final straw was when the man cupped it for a photo." 'My immediate reaction to this video was a chilling realization: that could have been me! This chilling video exposes a dangerous trend: many Indian tourists are lured into risky photo-ops with tigers in Thailand, often due to relentless peer pressure. These wild animals are heavily drugged to appear docile, but their true nature cannot be tamed. As the sedation fades, a tiger can turn violent, posing a grave threat," while another commented. First Published: May 30, 2025, 14:02 IST
News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘Pahalgam Made Me Famous': LeT Terrorists, Pakistani Ministers Share Stage, Attack PM Modi, India
Last Updated: Pak's state-terror nexus: As Saifullah Kasuri boasts of fame, Talha Saeed calls Pahalgam attack 'drama'. Minister Rasheed says Hafiz Saeed, Kasuri represent '24 crore Pakistanis" Underscoring Pakistan's state-terror nexus, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Kasuri, believed to be the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, on Wednesday attended a rally, along with their ministers and wanted terrorists, including 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed's son, Talha. 'I was blamed and called the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, now I am famous in the entire world," said Kasuri, at the event in Kasoor in Punjab province. According to an India Today report, Pakistan's Food Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan were present in the crowd. They welcomed Kasuri on the stage and embraced him. 'HUM GOLIYON SE DARNE WALE HAIN KYA?' Kasuri went on to announce plans to build a centre, road, and hospital in Allahabad in the name of Mudassir Shaheed, who was reportedly one of several high-profile terrorists killed in May 7 strikes by India on nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks – 'Roti khaao, nahi to meri goli hai hi" – Kasuri said, 'Narendra Modi samajhta hai hum goliyon se darne wale hain? Ye uski bhool hai (Modi is mistaken if he thinks we are scared of bullets)." In fact, the ministers personally welcomed Kasuri to the stage and embracing him. The India Today report further stated that Minister Malik Rasheed openly declared that '24 crore Pakistanis are today represented by men like Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri". MY FATHER UNDER PEACEFUL PROTECTION OF STATE: HAFIZ SAEED'S SON Talha, 50, is a senior leader of the LeT and is the head of the cleric wing of the banned outfit. He is actively involved in recruitment, fund collection, planning and executing attacks by LeT in India and Indian interests in Afghanistan, according to the FirstPost. In the rally, he said, 'Today there is a message for India from Pakistan. We have won 'Operation Bunyan al-Marsus' and God should accept our presence here. I'm thankful to Malik Ahmad Khan, speaker of Punjab Assembly, Malik Rashid Khan and Saifullah Khalid for their presence here on stage. I also salute the people of Pakistan on behalf of my father Hafiz Saeed. I am here to tell you God loves those who do jihad." Talha also called the Pahalgam terror attack 'drama", adding that his father was under the peaceful protection of the state. Earlier in February, Talha delivered a provocative speech at a rally in Lahore to 'liberate Kashmir from India at any cost". A REGULAR OCCURRENCE In September 2018, Pakistan's Religious Affairs and Interfaith Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri shared a platform with Hafiz Saeed. In December 2018, Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi openly expressed support of his government to Saeed and his terror outfit. In September 2013, the terrorist, who carries a US bounty of $10 million, appeared openly at a rally in Islamabad, denouncing India as a terrorist state. In February 2014, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, the man behind the 2001 Parliament attack in India, spoke against the country in a rally in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad. With inputs from agencies First Published:
