Grassley Urges DHS to Stop F-1 Student Work Permits

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is urging the Department of Homeland Security to halt work permits for F-1 student visa holders, a move that would strike at the center of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and reshape the early career path for hundreds of thousands of international graduates.

In a public post on X, Grassley said the authorizations “are in direct violation of the law,” warned of “tech and corporate espionage,” and argued that allowing student work permissions gives foreign graduates an unfair edge over U.S. workers. He added that he has sent a letter to the DHS secretary calling for immediate termination of these authorizations. The statement has quickly intensified a long-running fight over how the United States balances campus enrollment, national security, and labor-market access for foreign students.

What OPT and F-1 Work Authorization Do

Grassley’s demand centers on work permission tied to the F-1 category, especially OPT, which allows international students to work in jobs related to their field of study either during their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

• The program generally runs up to 12 months for most degrees.
• There is a STEM extension that can add up to 24 additional months.

Supporters view OPT as a training bridge that helps graduates gain real-world experience. Critics say it can undercut new American graduates and expose companies to sensitive data risks. VisaVerge.com notes that this debate occurs as Republican lawmakers push tighter rules on high-skilled visas and consider large fee increases for new H‑1B applicants.

Cost and Competitive Concerns

Grassley’s post cited a cost gap that can favor hiring recent F-1 graduates. Employers often don’t pay certain payroll taxes for many international students during a limited period, which can lower the overall cost of an entry-level hire. Critics argue this feature makes foreign graduates more attractive even when skills are similar.

University leaders counter that:

• OPT is a training tool, not a wage workaround.
• Jobs must be directly related to the student’s major.
• Many OPT positions convert to H-1B sponsorship only if the worker’s performance and business needs justify it.

DHS Oversight and Current Procedures

The Department of Homeland Security has not announced a suspension of student work approvals, but the agency has explored oversight changes. Proposed measures could include:

• Site visits to verify that students are engaged in bona fide training aligned with their programs.
• Additional compliance checks for employers hosting foreign students.

Under current policy, most F-1 students apply for temporary work permission with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Applicants submit it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before starting post-completion OPT.

• Official instructions and filing details for Form I-765: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• Broader program rules and guidance: USCIS guidance for students and employment

If DHS were to end work permits as Grassley demands, EAD cards tied to OPT could stop being issued, disrupting internships, job offers, and graduation-to-work timelines across industries.

Policy Flashpoint: Core Arguments

Grassley’s position advances three core points:

1. Work permits for students lack a firm legal basis.
2. Access to company systems could invite tech and corporate espionage.
3. The system disadvantages U.S. graduates in hiring.

Opponents respond that OPT has existed across several administrations, withstanding legal scrutiny and rule updates. They emphasize that firms already follow export-control rules, background checks, and internal security protocols. Universities warn that cutting OPT could weaken the U.S. draw for global talent.

Labor-Economics Tension

• Some American graduates complain about scarce entry-level openings.
• Many employers say they still struggle to find specialized skills in AI, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity.
• Business groups warn that cutting OPT without alternative pathways would create a sudden gap in the early-career pipeline, especially in STEM.

Critics of OPT urge companies to invest more in domestic training and raise wages rather than depending on temporary work channels.

Public Reaction and International Consequences

Online reaction has been strong and polarized:

• Supporters say ending OPT would discourage companies from hiring foreign graduates at lower total cost.
• Opponents call the plan short-sighted and harmful to U.S. competitiveness.

VisaVerge.com reports poll data suggesting many Indian students would rethink U.S. study plans if OPT and H-1B pathways were curtailed — a warning for universities that rely on full-pay international enrollment.

What’s at Stake for Students, Schools, and Employers

If DHS accepted the senator’s request, immediate effects would include:

• Graduating seniors and recent master’s/Ph.D. holders could see offers put on hold, revoked, or converted to unpaid status.
• Loss of early-career training that bridges study and full-time roles.
• Delays moving from OPT to the H-1B lottery, reducing candidates ready for sponsorship.
• Global enrollment shifts to countries with more predictable post-study work options (e.g., Canada, the UK, Australia).

For employers:

• Hiring plans—especially in tech and engineering—would be disrupted.
• Companies might reduce campus recruiting or offshore roles.
• HR teams would rework onboarding, project schedules, and compliance plans for possible site visits.

For university international offices:

• A surge in emergency advising and triage for students who already filed Form I-765.
• Handling employer inquiries about start dates and travel plans tied to EAD use.
• Potential financial stress if foreign enrollment drops, affecting research and services.

National Security and Practical Safeguards

Grassley frames his move as protecting American workers and guarding sensitive technology. Possible responses from firms include:

• Expanding segmented data networks.
• Tightening privileged credentials.
• Requiring extra training on IP protection.

Critics argue that targeted safeguards and existing laws are preferable to a blanket end to student work authorization.

Outstanding Questions

Several practical questions remain unanswered:

• Would DHS implement a full stop, or phase changes in?
• What happens to pending Form I-765 filings if policy changes mid-cycle?
• Would STEM extensions be treated differently from standard OPT?
• Would DHS pair restrictions with new oversight such as site visits?

Without further detail from DHS, schools and employers are preparing for multiple scenarios.

Historical Context and Legal Pushback

History shows proposals alone can produce real-world change: companies pause hiring until rules are finalized, and students shift applications abroad. University groups and business coalitions are likely to push back, potentially via legal challenges arguing any DHS action conflicts with existing regulations.

In court, judges typically weigh:

• The text of the law.
• Agency rulemaking records.
• Economic harm to institutions and workers.

Legal processes are slow, so uncertainty could persist through admissions, graduation, and hiring seasons.

Important takeaways:
– Students on F-1 visas should keep records organized, review status rules with their designated school officials, and watch for agency updates.
– Employers should audit hiring pipelines, confirm roles align with the student’s major, and plan contingencies if processing slows or new compliance checks begin.
– Use official government resources linked above for the latest instructions on Form I-765 and student employment.

The political calendar may influence timing. Whether lawmakers side with Grassley’s approach—or seek narrower oversight fixes—will determine whether OPT continues unchanged or is altered in the months ahead.