Archive · 26 May 2025
Trump Nominee Seeks to End Post-Graduation Work for International Students
Imagine students from other countries who come to the US to study.
After finishing their school, they can work in the US for a year, called OPT.
A person nominated for an important immigration job wants to change this, possibly ending the work option after graduation.
This worries some people, who think it might stop the US from getting the best workers and could hurt the economy.
This has raised concern among international students in the US.
A bill to end OPT was introduced, but is not likely to pass.
Joseph Edlow, USCIS nominee, wants to end post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students.
OPT allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduation.
Edlow views the current handling of OPT as a 'misapplication of the law'.
Immigration attorneys suggest a focus on one-year OPT concurrent with studies.
Ending OPT could hurt the ability to attract and keep top talent, hindering the economy.
- Who
- Joseph Edlow, USCIS director nominee
- What
- Edlow wants to end post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students.
- When
- During a recent nomination hearing
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To limit post-graduation work options for international students.
Advocates
Edlow
OPT Program Impact
Advocates
Ending post-graduation OPT would undermine the US's ability to recruit and retain global talent, and could weaken the U.S. economy by reducing workforce support.
Edlow
Ending post-graduation OPT aligns with Edlow's viewpoint on how the OPT program has been misapplied. It may potentially reduce competition in the U.S. job market for U.S. citizens.
- USCIS Nominee
- Joseph Edlow
- Proposed Change
- OPT program for international students
- OPT Duration
- 1 year (extendable for STEM students)
- Number of Indian students in US
- 2.7 lakh
- Indian Students in OPT
- 69,000
- Data Source
- Academic year 2022-23
