Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Trump Administration Tightens Scrutiny of Foreign Student Internships
The US government is checking more closely how foreign students get internships while studying.
The program involved is called Curricular Practical Training, or CPT.
It lets F-1 international students do internships and practical training connected to their courses.
Officials said the training must be a real and important part of the school’s curriculum.
They warned that schools could lose permission to enrol international students if they do not follow the rules.
UCLA and UC Berkeley paused some applications while they studied the guidance.
The government says the rules have not changed, but it wants schools to stop misusing the program.
Students, including many from India, may face delays or more checks.
The articles do not describe new rules for OPT or H-1B visas.
An August 24 federal memo warned universities about possible violations involving Curricular Practical Training for F-1 students.
The memo said CPT must be an integral part of an established academic curriculum.
Universities that fail to comply could lose certification to enrol international students.
UCLA and UC Berkeley paused certain CPT authorisations while reviewing the federal guidance.
The Department of Homeland Security said the rules themselves had not changed; the memo did not announce changes to OPT or H-1B rules.
- Who
- The Trump administration, federal immigration officials, US universities and F-1 international students.
- What
- Federal officials warned universities about potentially improper use of Curricular Practical Training and the consequences of noncompliance.
- When
- The memo was dated August 24; the year is not specified.
- Where
- Universities and international students in the United States.
- Why
- Officials said they observed an increase in CPT authorisations that appeared not to meet the requirement that training be integral to an established curriculum.
Government enforcement position
University and rights concerns
Whether the policy changes the rules
Government enforcement position
The Department of Homeland Security said the underlying regulations had not changed and warned that abuse of the system would no longer be tolerated.
University and rights concerns
Universities viewed the August 24 memo as more restrictive or direct and paused some applications while determining how to comply.
Effect on students
Government enforcement position
Federal officials say schools must ensure CPT is genuinely built into established curricula.
University and rights concerns
Universities and affected students face uncertainty, delays and additional scrutiny, particularly where training structures may be questioned.
Broader university pressure
Government enforcement position
The administration has defended other investigations and actions as enforcement of immigration, admissions and institutional policies.
University and rights concerns
Rights groups have raised concerns about free speech, academic freedom and due process, while universities have rejected some administration allegations.
- Program involved
- Curricular Practical Training, or CPT.
- Eligible students
- F-1 international students.
- Permitted activities
- Internships, practicums and other training linked to an academic program.
- Issuing agency
- The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- University consequence
- Institutions that fail to comply may lose certification to enrol international students.
- Universities responding
- UCLA and UC Berkeley paused certain CPT authorisations while reviewing the guidance.
- Other visa programs
- The articles do not report specific changes to Optional Practical Training or H-1B rules.
