ICE Expands Site Visits in Northern Virginia to Probe OPT Fraud

( NORTHERN VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES ) ICE investigations in Northern Virginia are intensifying as federal agents conduct in-person checks on companies that claim to employ F-1 students through the Optional Practical Training program, according to officials. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations directorate has visited multiple IT services firms across the region in recent weeks, uncovering evidence of noncompliance and potential fraud, including nonfunctional or staged worksites and supervisors who could not explain basic rules for hiring foreign students. In one case, an employer listed a suburban home as its place of business while reportedly “employing dozens” of F-1 students on OPT.

Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said the agency is ramping up enforcement to protect the integrity of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
“ICE remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the integrity of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and ensuring that foreign students, educational institutions and employers participating in the program adhere to U.S. laws and regulations,” Lyons said.
“Individuals who seek to exploit the immigration system have no place within this program. ICE will take decisive action to hold bad actors accountable and will intensify investigations to mitigate fraud and address security risks associated with the Optional Practical Training programs.”

Why Northern Virginia is being targeted

The focus on Northern Virginia follows long-running concerns from Congress, national security officials, watchdog agencies, and trade organizations about the scale and oversight of OPT. Concerns include employer fraud and whether certain arrangements displace U.S. workers.

ICE officials say site visits are one way to test whether the job actually exists and whether the employer understands and follows the rules that govern employment for F-1 students. Investigators report the most troubling signs are “worksites” staged for visits and supervisors unable to explain the basics of OPT employment.

Key red flags include staged worksites, little proof of ongoing projects, and supervisors who cannot explain how the job relates to a student’s degree.

What ICE found during site visits

• Nonfunctional or staged offices: Some addresses appeared set up to pass a cursory check, with no meaningful work taking place.
• Supervisors without rule knowledge: Managers could not describe requirements related to hiring F-1 students under OPT.
• Residential addresses used as worksites: In at least one review, the listed business was a home while “dozens” of students were supposedly on the payroll.

These findings point to possible sham employment—arrangements that exist on paper to keep a student in status while providing little or no real training. ICE investigations are ongoing, and officials indicated they will intensify checks in the area to address fraud and related security risks. As of October 17, 2025, there have been no new policy changes tied specifically to these Northern Virginia actions, but the enforcement push aligns with a broader pattern of closer review across student work programs.

Broader oversight trend

VisaVerge.com reports that increased oversight of F-1 students’ employment has been a developing theme as federal agencies scrutinize whether employers and third-party placement firms are following the rules. According to VisaVerge.com’s analysis, site visits and records checks often reveal gaps between what is submitted to government systems and what is happening day to day at the job site.

OPT rules and fraud risks

OPT allows F-1 students to work in the United States in a job related to their major after completing a degree, typically for up to 12 months. Graduates in STEM fields can receive a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Students on standard OPT must not exceed 90 days of unemployment, and those on STEM OPT must not exceed 150 days over three years. These limits are intended to ensure that the work is real and that the student is actively engaged in training.

Common fraud warning signs include:

• High fees charged for fake employment verification letters
• Vague job duties unrelated to a student’s degree
• “Remote” jobs with no clear supervision or training plan
• Requests to list a worksite at one address while actual activity is elsewhere
• Pressure to keep a student “on the books” only to preserve immigration status

These schemes can lead to serious immigration consequences. If a job isn’t real, the student’s SEVP record may show unlawful unemployment, which can trigger loss of status. Students may also face difficulties later with visa applications, consular processing, or benefit requests that ask about previous employment.

Guidance for employers, students, and schools

For employers in Northern Virginia, ICE investigations underscore the need to follow the program rules. Employers that hire F-1 students through OPT must ensure:

• The role is directly tied to the student’s field of study
• The work site is legitimate and active
• Supervisors can explain training methods, performance measurement, and how the job provides practical experience

ICE’s message is direct: if an employer exploits OPT to run paper-only jobs or sells fake verification letters, the government will treat that as fraud. Officials also signaled that HSI will continue to expand site visits in the region as needed to check compliance and address risks.

Students and schools also have responsibilities:

• Designated School Officials (DSOs) should review details students provide, including employer names, job titles, and worksites.
• Students should keep records: offer letters, pay statements, supervisor contacts, and a description of duties tied to the degree.
• If a job seems suspicious—fees for placement, no clear tasks, or vague supervision—students should decline the offer and inform their DSO.

These steps help protect the student’s status and assist schools in maintaining accurate records.

The current enforcement drive does not create new rules. It enforces existing ones by testing whether employers are following them in real time. Compliance is mandatory, and fraud will be investigated.

Official guidance and resources on SEVP and OPT compliance are available from ICE: ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Immediate impacts and next steps

As ICE investigations continue in Northern Virginia, practical effects are already visible:

• Employers are reviewing records, checking worksites, and training supervisors to answer basic legal questions.
• F-1 students are asking tougher questions about job offers and documenting day-to-day training.
• Schools are double-checking student updates before entering them into federal systems.

The shared aim across employers, students, and schools is straightforward: keep the program honest, ensure jobs are real, and protect the opportunity OPT is designed to provide.