Archive · 9 Dec 2025
US Lawmakers Push to End OPT Program
Some US politicians want to stop a program called OPT that lets foreign students work in the US after they finish school.
They say the program is not officially approved, costs a lot of money, and lets companies hire foreign workers instead of Americans.
They also want these workers to pay taxes like everyone else.
Many students from India and China use this program, so big changes could affect a lot of people.
The politicians say the program is unfair to American workers and costs the government money.
They want the president to end it and have introduced a new law to make OPT workers pay taxes.
Republican lawmakers urge the White House to shut down the OPT program, calling it unauthorized and costly.
OPT allows foreign students to work in the US for up to three years after graduation, mostly in STEM fields.
Lawmakers claim OPT circumvents the H-1B visa cap and disadvantages American students and small businesses.
In 2024, 194,554 foreign students received work authorization through OPT, with 95,384 in STEM programs.
Senator Tom Cotton introduced the OPT Fair Tax Act to require OPT workers and employers to pay FICA taxes.
- Who
- US Republican lawmakers and Senator Tom Cotton
- What
- Proposal to end the OPT program and introduce the OPT Fair Tax Act
- When
- Letter sent on December 4, 2023; bill introduced recently
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Claim OPT is unauthorized, costly, and circumvents H-1B visa cap
- Program Name
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Established Year
- 1992
- Work Duration
- Up to 3 years
- Foreign Students in 2024
- 194,554
- STEM OPT Students in 2024
- 95,384
- Estimated Annual Tax Loss
- $4 billion
- FICA Tax Rate
- Social Security: 6.2%, Medicare: 1.45%
- Proposed Legislation
- OPT Fair Tax Act