A new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal threatens to end or severely limit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 students.
If approved, the rule will strip international graduates of up to three years of crucial work experience in the United States.
The proposed rule is expected to move forward later this year or early next year. It directly targets F-1 students by limiting their post-study employment options. The change represents one of the most restrictive immigration moves in recent years.
Observers say the proposal fits into the administration’s “America First” approach. The timing suggests a political motive, as the policy aims to discourage international students from choosing the US for higher education and long-term career opportunities.
The rule appears on the public regulatory agenda and claims to tackle fraud and national security concerns. It also claims to protect US workers from job displacement while giving the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) more oversight over F-1 visa holders.
In reality, the move will make the US less attractive to foreign students. The OPT program provides vital hands-on training in students’ academic fields. Ending it would cause significant damage to their career prospects and to American universities that depend on global talent.
The loss of international graduates in the US job market will hurt innovation and reduce the country’s economic competitiveness. Experts warn that the policy risks driving skilled professionals to other countries, weakening both the education sector and the economy.
For many immigrants, this is yet another setback in a year of tightening restrictions. Each new policy has made it harder to study, work, or settle in the US, leaving millions uncertain about their future in a country once known for opportunity.