Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act targets OPT program
Some people in the government, like Representative Paul A. Gosar, want to end a program called OPT.
This program lets foreign students who study in the U.S. work here for a while after they finish school.
They say the program was never officially approved by the government and that it's not fair to American workers.
They want the President to end the program so that only programs approved by the government can exist.
Some people think the program is good because it helps with worker shortages and gives students experience, but others think it's bad because it might pay foreign workers less and doesn't protect American students.
Representative Paul A. Gosar reintroduced the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act to terminate the OPT program.
The OPT program allows foreign students with F-1 visas to work in the U.S. after completing their education.
Critics argue the OPT program is unauthorized, abused, and costly to taxpayers, and undermines American workers.
Advocates of OPT argue it addresses workforce shortages and provides work experience for students.
Lawmakers urge the President to terminate the OPT program to prevent it from being codified like DACA.
- Who
- Representative Paul A. Gosar and other lawmakers
- What
- Introduction of the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act to terminate the OPT program
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Critics argue the OPT program is unauthorized, abused, and costly to taxpayers, and undermines American workers
- Program Name
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program
- Program Start Year
- 1992
- Congressional Authorization
- Never authorized by Congress
- OPT Duration
- Up to 12 months before and after studies, with a 24-month STEM extension
- Legislation Introduced
- Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act
- Legislation Sponsor
- Representative Paul A. Gosar
- Key Critics
- Representative Paul A. Gosar and other lawmakers
- Critics' Main Argument
- OPT is unauthorized, abused, and costly to taxpayers