The United States has introduced a new bill that is causing worry among international students, especially those studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The bill wants to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows students to work in the U.S. for up to three years after they graduate.
This move could affect the career plans of thousands of Indian students in the US, who depend on OPT to get work experience and later apply for long-term job visas, according to The Economic Times.
India tops list of foreign students in US
India became the number one country sending students to the United States in the 2023–2024 school year, with 331,602 students. That’s a 23% increase from the year before, according to the Open Doors 2024 report.
About 97,556 of these students took part in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which is a 41% increase.
Even though past efforts to remove OPT have not worked, this new bill comes at a time when the government is making more rules against immigrants.
Visa Worries Push Students to Seek Job Sponsorships
Donald Trump has promised more deportations and tougher visa rules if he is elected again. This has made many students with F-1 and M-1 visas feel worried.
Because of this, many students are quickly trying to find jobs that can help them switch to an H-1B work visa. Big tech companies in the US and India usually support these visas, the report said.
Experts Warn OPT May End Suddenly, Forcing Students to Leave
Experts are worried about the future of OPT (Optional Practical Training) for international students in the US.
“OPT lets students work in the US for one year after graduation. STEM students can stay for two more years if they work for a qualified US company,” said Poorvi Chothani, founder of the immigration law firm LawQuest.
She also said that if the new bill becomes law, OPT could end suddenly. Students might not be able to switch to another work visa and may have to leave the US right away
Students Face Visa Pressure, Financial Worries, and Travel Fears
Chothani said that students using OPT now need to quickly try for an H-1B visa if they get selected in the lottery. If not, they may have to look for jobs in other countries.
Students planning to study in the US in the future may also need to prepare for a system like the UK, where students must go back to their home country after finishing their studies.
A bigger worry, she said, is the financial loss. Without OPT, students could miss out on years of high-paying US jobs that help them pay back big student loans.
The Economic Times also reported that many Indian students have cancelled their summer trips because they are afraid they won’t be allowed to return to the US.
Top universities like Cornell, Columbia, and Yale have quietly told international students not to travel home during the break, the report said.
