Trump Administration Eyes Stricter Rules for Work Programs Used by Students

Key Takeaways

• OPT and CPT programs, employing 540,000 students annually, face scrutiny over fraud, oversight, and national security under proposed policy changes.
• Proposed measures include stricter school eligibility standards, potential OPT limitations, and reevaluation of Day 1 CPT to combat misuse and risks.
• Indian students, comprising 70% of OPT participants, risk significant impact, potentially shifting interest to countries with more open work options.

The Trump administration is considering stricter rules for U.S. work schemes like Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which could significantly affect Indian 🇮🇳 and other foreign students studying in the United States. These programs have been essential for international students on F-1 visas, providing valuable work experience either during or after their academic programs. However, recent discussions suggest that both OPT and CPT could face serious changes due to concerns about oversight, fraud, and national security.

Key Concerns About OPT and CPT Programs

At a U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearing on January 22, 2025, immigration expert Jessica M. Vaughan brought attention to ongoing challenges with these work schemes. According to Vaughan, OPT and CPT are now the largest guest worker programs in the U.S., employing approximately 540,000 former students each year without strict oversight or labor condition safeguards. She pointed out that Congress has never formally authorized these programs, raising questions about their legitimacy and regulation.

Trump Administration Eyes Stricter Rules for Work Programs Used by Students

Statistics from the fiscal year 2023 reveal the sheer scale of these programs:
– 276,452 students worked under OPT.
– An additional 122,101 participated in STEM OPT (an extension of OPT for science, technology, engineering, and math graduates).
– 140,829 students used CPT.

Unlike the H-1B visa program, which caps the number of new visas issued annually, OPT and CPT have no participant limits. This freedom, while attractive to international students, has raised concerns among policymakers and immigration experts.

Jon Feere, a former official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and director of the Center for Immigration Studies, outlined additional challenges. He emphasized significant financial, security, and operational risks tied to these programs:
1. Financial Costs: Employers hiring through OPT avoid paying Social Security and Medicare taxes, costing the U.S. government roughly $4 billion per year.
2. Weak Oversight: More than 7,400 schools are certified to enroll foreign students, relying heavily on university officials for enforcement. Unfortunately, this oversight has proven insufficient.
3. Fraudulent Practices: Some institutions promote “Day 1 CPT,” which allows students to work immediately after arrival. This undermines the educational focus of the program.
4. Security Risks: Rapid growth in OPT participation has raised concerns about foreign nationals working in sensitive fields, including technology and data.

Potential Changes Under the Trump Administration

The Trump administration is exploring several changes to tighten control over these programs. Vaughan and Feere have proposed measures aimed at addressing fraud, improving security, and ensuring these work schemes fulfill their educational purpose.

One recommendation involves setting stricter eligibility standards for schools. Vaughan suggested that schools with high student visa overstay rates lose their ability to issue I-20 forms. The I-20 is vital for obtaining an F-1 student visa, and without it, students would be unable to enroll at these institutions.

Feere, meanwhile, proposed a sharper focus on training fields required for both U.S. and international students. He also suggested the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) consider limiting or even eliminating OPT, leaving decisions about foreign worker programs to Congress.

Impact on Indian Students

Indian 🇮🇳 students, who make up a considerable portion of international students in the U.S., could face the greatest impact. In 2022-2023, about 69,000 Indian students participated in OPT programs, representing more than 70% of all F-1 students enrolled in OPT. Similarly, Indian students account for a large proportion of those working under CPT, particularly in technology and engineering-related roles.

The potential tightening of these programs may discourage Indian nationals from choosing the U.S. as a study destination. With alternative countries, like Canada 🇨🇦 and Australia 🇦🇺, offering more open work options for international students, the U.S. risks losing its attractiveness among this highly skilled group.

Broader Immigration Policies Under Trump

The Trump administration’s approach to immigration has already cast a shadow over international students. Immediately after returning to office in 2025, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at making visa screening more stringent. These orders require more thorough background checks for visa applicants, which could lead to extended visa processing times for international students. Additionally, the administration is reviewing vetting systems in various countries. If a nation is found to have inadequate systems, its citizens may face stricter entry conditions, further complicating matters for aspiring students.

Other policies include changes to admissions processes within U.S. universities. By emphasizing merit rather than demographics, the administration seeks to align educational policies with broader civil rights law. Although this approach may streamline certain processes, it could reduce diversity-focused initiatives, which often help international students integrate into campus life.

Additionally, recent changes to birthright citizenship laws could indirectly affect international students’ dependents. Under the new rules, children born in the U.S. to parents who are neither citizens nor lawful permanent residents may no longer be recognized as U.S. citizens. While not directly aimed at international students, this policy change adds another layer of uncertainty for families involved.

Challenges with Day 1 CPT Programs

The rise of Day 1 CPT has drawn special attention. While this program helps students start practical training jobs immediately after enrolling, some see it as an easy route to work authorization without meeting the customary requirements of OPT. Fraudulent practices linked to CPT have cast doubt on the program’s legitimacy. For example, the U.S. authorities previously exposed and dismantled the University of Northern New Jersey, a fake institution created to uncover misuse of CPT allowances.

This focus on CPT fraud highlights broader concerns about lax oversight in student work programs, raising the likelihood of additional government scrutiny.

Reactions from Universities and Employers

Despite the Trump administration’s concerns, many universities continue to defend OPT and CPT. They argue that these programs attract international students who not only contribute academically but also boost the U.S. economy through tuition and living expenses. In the 2022-2023 academic year alone, the presence of international students generated billions in economic activity.

Major companies, especially in the tech sector, also benefit greatly from these programs. Employers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon—who consistently hire software engineers, data scientists, and other skilled workers through OPT—have voiced support for maintaining these work schemes. They argue that restricting programs like OPT could tighten talent pipelines, particularly in STEM fields.

Advice for International Students

Given the uncertainty surrounding these potential rule changes, international students in the U.S. are advised to remain proactive. Regularly checking with university international offices and relying on trustworthy sources—like VisaVerge.com—can help students stay informed. Consulting with an immigration attorney may also be helpful in understanding how upcoming policy shifts may impact individual plans.

Furthermore, students using Day 1 CPT or those close to completing OPT should closely monitor their options. With tighter regulations expected, it’s critical to ensure compliance with all program rules to avoid jeopardizing work eligibility.

Final Thoughts

The Trump administration’s efforts to tighten U.S. work programs for foreign students represent the latest chapter in an ongoing debate over immigration policy. While these measures aim to address real issues like fraud and national security risks, they could also disrupt educational pathways for thousands of international students, especially those from India 🇮🇳. As the U.S. attempts to strike a balance between skilled labor needs and firm immigration controls, the global academic and business communities will be watching closely. Students, universities, and employers alike must adapt to this shifting landscape as discussions unfold in 2025 and beyond. For official information on F-1 visa policies and the I-20 process, visit the Department of State’s study in the U.S. page.

Learn Today

Optional Practical Training (OPT) → Temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas, allowing employment during or after academic studies.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) → Work authorization for F-1 students enabling practical training directly tied to their academic program requirements.
Day 1 CPT → A controversial option allowing F-1 students to work immediately upon enrollment, often criticized for undermining program intent.
F-1 Visa → A non-immigrant U.S. visa permitting international students to pursue academic studies and practical training programs.
I-20 Form → A document issued by U.S. schools to certify a student’s eligibility for an F-1 visa and academic enrollment.

This Article in a Nutshell

Stricter U.S. rules for OPT and CPT programs could redefine international student experiences, especially impacting Indian students in STEM fields. Concerns include fraud, oversight, and tax loopholes. With alternative destinations like Canada growing in appeal, the U.S. risks losing global talent. Proactive preparation remains key as policies evolve under renewed scrutiny.
— By VisaVerge.com