Schmitt backs overhaul of OPT, seeks end to post-graduate visas

(MISSOURI) Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is backing reported plans by the administration to shut down or sharply restrict the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a work benefit tied to the F-1 student visa that lets international graduates stay and work in the United States after they finish their degrees. In a letter dated November 14, 2025, to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Schmitt called OPT “one of the most abused programs in the entire U.S. immigration system” and urged the department to begin the process of either overhauling it or ending it outright.

What OPT is and how it works

Optional Practical Training (OPT) was created by federal regulation rather than an act of Congress. It allows most F‑1 students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities to work in jobs related to their field of study for up to 12 months.

• Graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields can apply for an additional 24‑month extension, meaning some former students may remain and work for up to three years after graduation.
• Supporters say OPT helps U.S. universities attract global talent and gives American employers access to needed skills.
• Critics, including Schmitt, argue the program circumvents the employment‑based visa caps set by Congress.

Schmitt’s argument and political framing

In his letter to Secretary Noem, Schmitt framed the reported internal review of OPT as a test of the Trump administration’s “America First immigration policy.” He emphasized that because OPT was created entirely through executive action—without any vote in Congress—it “can likely be overhauled or ended by executive action” as well.

His core points include:

1. OPT exists outside the normal visa cap system.
2. Employers hiring OPT participants are not subject to the same rules as those hiring other temporary-visa workers.
3. That structure, he says, turns OPT into a “cheap‑labor pipeline.”

Economic and campus concerns raised

Schmitt argued the program creates financial incentives for universities to recruit international students because many pay higher tuition than U.S. citizens or permanent residents. He warned this trend could:

• Encourage some campuses to act like “visa mills” that prioritize revenue from overseas students over academic merit.
• Make it harder for young Americans to gain admission to colleges or to compete for entry‑level jobs after graduation.

He also claimed that large companies and universities can rely on foreign graduates who may accept lower wages and weaker conditions because their stay in the U.S. is tied to employment—an arrangement that, in his view, disadvantages American workers and shifts power toward corporate and academic interests.

National security, IP, and broader concerns

Schmitt raised national security and economic concerns tied to OPT, though his letter did not include detailed public examples. He suggested that OPT may enable foreign governments or companies to gain access to advanced research, technology, or data through students and recent graduates placed in sensitive industries.

These themes reflect long‑standing debates about:

• Balancing openness to international students with protections for critical sectors.
• Risks of espionage or intellectual property theft versus the benefits of global academic exchange.

DHS response and legal context

The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly released a formal proposal in response to Schmitt’s request, and Secretary Noem has not issued a detailed statement about the program’s future.

• Official information about current OPT and F‑1 rules remains available through the department’s resources for international students on its website, including general guidance on work authorization and stay limits for student visa holders, which can be found on the Department of Homeland Security portal.
• Any move to scale back or cancel OPT would likely provoke strong reactions from universities, technology firms, and business groups that defend the program as a bridge between academic training and the U.S. job market.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, past attempts to restrict OPT have led to lawsuits from universities, students, and business coalitions. Those plaintiffs argue that abrupt changes leave current students in legal limbo and harm the country’s reputation as a study destination.

Any attempt to unwind a long‑standing program through executive action could face legal challenges over whether the administration followed proper rule‑making steps.

Impact on students and universities

International students in Missouri and across the U.S. are watching closely, even though no specific policy language has been announced. For many students, OPT is a decisive factor in choosing to study in the United States because it provides a first foothold in the American labor market after graduation.

• Current F‑1 visa holders interviewed by local media said they fear sudden changes could force them to leave the country soon after finishing school, even if they already have job offers or are working under existing authorizations.
• Midwest universities have not yet issued detailed responses to Schmitt’s letter, but administrators have historically defended OPT as part of the recruitment package for overseas students.
• Recruiters often explain that while the F‑1 is a study visa, it may include limited post‑study work benefits through OPT, which help graduates gain experience and repay education loans.

If OPT assurances change, international recruitment offices warn that some students may choose other countries—such as Canada 🇨🇦 or the United Kingdom—that offer more predictable post‑study work options.

What’s next

Schmitt’s push adds pressure on the Department of Homeland Security to:

• Defend the existing OPT framework,
• Propose narrower reforms, or
• Move toward ending the program.

That decision will shape the experiences and choices of future classes of international graduates worldwide, and it will likely provoke legal and political battles regardless of the path chosen.