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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump's USCIS pick sparks fear among Indian students Over OPT changes
If you're an Indian student in the U.S. — or planning to be one — there's new reason to worry. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which thousands of Indian students rely on for work opportunities after graduation, is now in the crosshairs of President Trump's nominee for the top immigration role in America. Here is why: President Trump's nominee for Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow, has expressed intentions to significantly alter the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, even though US President Donald Trump has said international students should receive green cards after graduating from U.S. universities. Economists, business leaders and educators have said that ending post-graduation OPT and STEM OPT would halt America's best programs for attracting and retaining international talent. What Is OPT? Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a programme that allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after completing their academic studies. Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are eligible for a 24-month extension, totaling up to 36 months of work authorization. This programme serves as a bridge for students to gain practical experience and potentially transition to longer-term employment opportunities in the U.S For most Indian students, OPT is a vital bridge between education and employment, helping them gain experience and improving their chances of transitioning to a work visa like the H-1B. What is happening now? Joseph Edlow, President Trump's nominee for Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has indicated he wants to restrict or roll back the OPT program. At a recent US Senate hearing, Edlow criticized the OPT system, saying it has "exceeded its original intent" and that work permits should only be available while the student is still studying — not after graduation. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) asked Edlow to describe changes he would make to Optional Practical Training if he were confirmed as USCIS director. 'I think the way in which OPT has been handled over the past four years, with the help of certain decisions coming out of the D.C. Circuit Court, have been a real problem in terms of misapplication of the law,' Edlow said in response. 'What I want to see would be essentially a regulatory and sub-regulatory program that would allow us to remove the ability for employment authorizations for F-1 students beyond the time that they are in school.' This raised immediate red flags among immigration lawyers, education experts, and especially Indian students, who make up one of the largest international student populations in the U.S. What the mumbers say According to the Institute of International Education (IIE): In the 2023/24 academic year, 163,452 international students participated in post-completion OPT 79,330 students were enrolled in STEM OPT That's a total of 242,782 students If Edlow's approach is implemented — limiting work authorization only while enrolled — these figures would plummet. The STEM OPT, which only begins after a student completes their degree, would be eliminated entirely. This would drastically reduce the pipeline of foreign students entering the U.S. workforce via the H-1B route. How many Indians could be affected? Over 270,000 Indian students are currently studying in the U.S. Roughly 69,000 are on OPT, according to 2023 US immigration data Many of these students heavily rely on OPT to work, repay student loans, and secure long-term opportunities like H-1B sponsorship. What would change? If Edlow's views are implemented as policy: Students might lose the right to work after graduation OPT could be limited only to jobs during the degree — not after Without OPT, students may have to leave the U.S. immediately unless they quickly secure an H-1B visa (which is hard due to strict quotas) But isn't OPT legal? Yes. In fact: The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the OPT and STEM extension programs in 2022 The Supreme Court also refused to overturn that decision But Edlow's views reflect a broader policy direction that could still reshape or dismantle OPT through administrative rule changes Why are experts worried? Experts say cutting OPT would: Hurt US universities, which attract top talent from India, China, and other countries Push international students to consider other countries like Canada, Australia, or the UK Damage the U.S. tech and innovation sectors, which rely on skilled foreign graduates Miriam Feldblum, head of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration,told Forbes that experiential learning is a 'core component of U.S. education' and warned that restricting OPT would 'undermine the country's ability to compete globally.' 'Any rollback of OPT will severely harm international students and our ability to attract talented students from around the world, our nation's global competitiveness, economic growth, national research capacity and future innovation," Miriam was quoted by Forbes as saying. What should Indian students do?
India.com
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Bad news for Indian students in US, Trump administration to stop students from..., no jobs for...
(Representational image/AI generated) New Delhi: Students in America who are thinking of working after graduation may face a big blow. Preparations are underway to end Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA. Even though President Donald Trump has stated that foreign students should receive green cards after graduating from American universities, his nominee for the post of the director at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says they want to prevent students from working in the country after graduation. This decision has raised concerns among students. President Trump has chosen Joseph Edlow as the nominee for 'U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS). During the nomination hearing, Edlow stated that he wants to end OPT. Edlow is set to take charge of USCIS as the director soon. Economists, business leaders, and educators say that ending OPT and STEM OPT would be a wrong decision. They argue that this will prevent America from attracting top talent to the country and from retaining them. According to a Forbes report, during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Joseph Edlow was asked what changes he would make to the OPT programme if he were made the head of USCIS. In response, he said, 'I think the way the OPT has been handled, aided by some decisions from the DC Circuit court over the past four years, has been a real problem in terms of the misuse of the law.' He further stated, 'I would like to see OPT as a regulatory and sub-regulatory programme that would allow us to eliminate the ability of F-1 students to obtain jobs after their time at college.' In simpler terms, Joseph is saying that he does not want students to stay in the country and work after graduating from college. If he becomes the director of USCIS, that could become possible. What is the OPT programme? Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work in the United States after graduation. They can work for 12 months. If someone has a degree in 'Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics' (STEM) fields, they also receive a 24-month extension, meaning they can work for 3 years. The number of Indian students benefiting from OPT and STEM OPT is the highest. In 2022-23, about 70,000 Indian students took advantage of this programme.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump's USCIS nominee targets OPT, raising alarms among Indian students in US
Trump's nominee for Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow , has told a Senate panel that he supports ending post-graduation work permits for international students . The statement has raised serious concern among foreign student communities, including thousands of Indian students studying in the United States. Edlow made these remarks during a recent hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. When asked about potential changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, Edlow said, 'I think the way in which OPT has been handled over the past four years, with the help of certain decisions coming out of the DC Circuit Court, have been a real problem in terms of misapplication of the law.' Under the current system, international students holding F-1 visas are eligible for a one-year OPT after graduation. Students from STEM fields can get an additional two-year extension. Edlow told the committee that he supports limiting work authorisation only to the time students are enrolled in academic programmes, not after graduation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wärmepumpen-Hammer: So kosten Wärmepumpen 2025 fast nichts Wärmepumpe Vergleich Mehr erfahren Undo Immigration attorneys said his comments suggest a plan to allow only a one-year OPT that runs parallel to studies, effectively removing post-graduation work opportunities. This has caused anxiety among international students already facing issues like sudden cancellations of their visa or SEVIS status. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The OPT programme has been under legal scrutiny since 2014. The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) first challenged its validity. In October 2022, the US Court of Appeals (DC Circuit) upheld the programme, including the STEM extension. A request to review the case was turned down by the US Supreme Court , as per a report by The Times of India. Live Events You Might Also Like: H-1B visa faces fresh flak after new picks hit multi-year low amid continuing tech layoffs A bill to eliminate OPT has also been introduced in the US House of Representatives, but it is unlikely to pass in the Senate. According to the Open Doors Report for the academic year 2022-23, the US hosted 2.7 lakh Indian students, out of which 69,000 participated in the OPT programme. Responding to the recent development, Miriam Feldblum, President and CEO of the Presidents' Alliance, said, 'Aiming to end post-graduation OPT will undermine the US overall ability to recruit and retain top talent from around the world. Experiential learning is and has long been a crucial component of education in this country. This includes post-graduation OPT opportunities.' She further added, 'Today, over 2.4 lakh international students participate in OPT, many in STEM fields. OPT enhances the educational experiences of international students while bolstering the workforce in communities across the US, supporting employers, and contributing to our economic competitiveness. We encourage the department of homeland security to prioritise policies that expand America's global and domestic talent pipeline to spur innovation, boost our economy, and secure our nation's future as a global education and research leader.' You Might Also Like: Trump's ally calls for H-1B visa curbs after action on Indian travel agencies linked to illegal immigration
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
OPT under fire: Trump's USCIS nominee seeks to end postgrad work
Joseph Edlow, who is President Donald Trump's nominee for the post of the director at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in a recent nomination hearing said he wants to end post-graduation optional practical training (OPT) that is available to international students. A one-year OPT is available to international students, which is extended by another two years for students from the STEM field. International students undertaking an academic course hold an F-1 visa. During a recent hearing before a Senate Judiciary Committee, when asked about the changes he would make to the OPT programme if he headed USCIS, Edlow said, "I think the way in which OPT has been handled over the past four years, with the help of certain decisions coming out of the DC Circuit Court, have been a real problem in terms of misapplication of the law." TOI had tracked and reported the legal challenges that this programme had faced. The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) had first challenged the OPT programme in 2014. After a long-drawn battle, the US Court of Appeals (DC Circuit) in Oct 2022 upheld the validity of the OPT programme and the two-year extension for STEM-OPT. While WashTech sought a review from the US Supreme Court, this was declined. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In other words, the programme continued to be valid. During the hearing, Edlow added that he is in favour of removing the ability for employment authorisations for F-1 students beyond the time they are in school. According to immigration attorneys' based on his statement it would appear the intent is only to have a one-year OPT (pre-completion OPT) concurrent with studies. This statement has sent alarm bells ringing among the international student community, including those who are aspiring to study in the US. International students are already under stress owing to abrupt revocations of their SEVIS status and/or F-I visas, even as district courts are ordering temporary restraining orders in their favour. A bill to eliminate OPT was also introduced in the House, but is expected to fall-flat as the numbers do not add up in the Senate for it to sail through. The Indian student community in the US is significant in terms of numbers. According to the Open Doors Report (academic year 2022-23), there were 2.7 lakh Indian students in the US, with 69,000 Indian students participating in OPT programmes. Responding to this development, Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents' Alliance (a coalition of over 570 campus leaders), stated, "Aiming to end post-graduation OPT will undermine the US overall ability to recruit and retain top talent from around the world. Experiential learning is and has long been a crucial component of education in this country. This includes post-graduation OPT opportunities. " "Today, over 2.4 lakh international students participate in OPT, many in STEM fields. OPT enhances the educational experiences of international students while bolstering the workforce in communities across the US, supporting employers, and contributing to our economic competitiveness. We encourage the department of homeland security to prioritise policies that expand America's global and domestic talent pipeline to spur innovation, boost our economy, and secure our nation's future as a global education and research leader," she added.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Optional practical training under fire: Donald Trump nominee seeks to end post-graduation work
Joseph Edlow, who is President Trump's nominee for the post of the director at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a recent nomination hearing has said he wants to end post-graduation optional practical training (OPT) that is available to international students. A one year OPT is available to international students, which is extended by another two years from students from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field. International students undertaking an academic course hold an F-1 visa. During a recent hearing before a Senate Judiciary Committee, when asked about the changes he would make to the OPT program if he headed USCIS, Edlow said, 'I think the way in which OPT has been handled over the past four years, with the help of certain decisions coming out of the DC Circuit Court, have been a real problem in terms of misapplication of the law.' TOI had tracked and reported the legal challenges that this program had faced. The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) had first challenged the OPT program in 2014. After a long-drawn battle, the US Court of Appeals (DC Circuit) in October 2022 upheld the validity of the OPT program and the two-year extension for STEM-OPT. While WashTech sought a review from the US Supreme Court, this was declined. In other words, the program continued to be valid. During the hearing, Edlow added that he is in favour of removing the ability for employment authorisations for F-1 students beyond the time they are in school. According to immigration attorneys' based on his statement it would appear the intent is only to have a one-year OPT (pre completion OPT) concurrent with studies. This statement has sent alarm bells ringing among the international student community, including those who are aspiring to study in the US. International students are already under stress owing to abrupt revocations of their SEVIS status and/or F-I visas, even as district courts are ordering temporary restraining orders in their favour. A bill to eliminate OPT was also introduced in the House, but is expected to fall-flat as the numbers do not add up in the Senate for it to sail through. The Indian student community in the US is significant in terms of numbers. According to the Open Doors Report (academic year 2022-23), there were 2.70 lakh Indian students in the US, with 69,000 Indian students participating in OPT programs. Responding to this development, Miriam Feldblum, President and CEO of the Presidents' Alliance (a coalition of over 570 campus leaders), stated, 'Aiming to end post-graduation OPT will undermine the US overall ability to recruit and retain top talent from around the world. Experiential learning is and has long been a crucial component of education in this country. This includes post-graduation OPT opportunities. ' 'Today, over 2.40 lakh international students participate in OPT, many in STEM fields. OPT enhances the educational experiences of international students while bolstering the workforce in communities across the US, supporting employers, and contributing to our economic competitiveness. We encourage the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize policies that expand America's global and domestic talent pipeline to spur innovation, boost our economy, and secure our nation's future as a global education and research leader,' she added.
