The administration of President Donald Trump is considering sweeping changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program linked to the F-1 student visa — a move that could drastically reduce or even eliminate post-graduation employment and training opportunities for international students.
The initiative comes as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to address what it calls “national security and fraud concerns” and to protect American workers — a move that has sparked sharp debate among supporters and critics of the program.
The OPT program, which allows international students to work for a limited period after graduation, is a vital pathway to professional integration, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to Business Standard data, around 290,000 international students currently participate in the program — a 54% increase from the previous year — reflecting its growing reliance by U.S. companies.
Debate Intensifies Over Trump’s Planned Restrictions on OPT Program
However, the Trump administration argues that the program functions as an unregulated alternative to the H-1B temporary work visa and threatens job opportunities for American graduates, particularly in the tech sector.
Elizabeth Jacobs from the Center for Immigration Studies stated that the program “was never approved by Congress” and represents “an unlawful exception” to established work authorization limits.
On the other hand, Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, warned that restricting the program would be “short-sighted” and undermine the United States’ ability to attract and retain global talent. She added that international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023–2024 academic year.
Attorney Anne Walsh also noted that foreign-born STEM graduates contribute disproportionately to patents and research breakthroughs, working in critical sectors such as cybersecurity, sustainable energy, and artificial intelligence.
The proposed rule is expected to be published by late 2025 or early 2026, amid intense anticipation from universities, companies, and international students — who view the program as a gateway to opportunity, while the current administration sees it as a threat to the domestic labor market.