Amid an ongoing “civil war” over H-1B visa for skilled foreign workers, President-elect Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters are targeting the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program that helps foreign students to stay back in the U.S. to gain work experience.
Critics argue that OPT, which was originally intended as a short term work permit, has now “evolved into a tool to secure U.S. jobs and a pathway for securing long-term work visas like the H-1B.”
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“It was never meant as a permanent immigration pathway, but rather a short-term opportunity for skill development…Employers saw OPT workers as desperate, willing to do anything for H-1B sponsorship before their permit expired,” U.S. tech workers coalition said calling it “the largest guest worker program killing jobs for new American college grads.”
Many foreign students, particularly those from India, come to study in the U.S. hoping to get on OPT to gain work experience and transition to H-1B work visa. Ending OPT would effectively mean foreign students would have to exit the U.S. after graduation.
“Eliminating F-1 OPT would significantly discourage foreign students from pursuing higher education in the United States,” said Johnson Myalil, an immigration attorney at High-Tech Immigration Law Group.
According to the 2023-24 Open Doors report, 242,000 international students, or 27.47% of the total 883,000 international students in the U.S., were enrolled in the OPT program.
These included 97,556 out of 331,000 Indian students (29.42 %) compared to 69,062 in 2022-23 and 68,188 in 2021-22. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses remain a popular choice for Indian students, largely due to the OPT extension. In 2023-24, around 42.9% of Indian students were pursuing mathematics or computer science, while 24.5% were enrolled in engineering programmes.
“The F-1 program is a critical talent pipeline for the U.S. tech industry. Many top executives at leading tech companies and numerous startup pioneers have benefited from F-1 and OPT opportunities.” Myalil said.
Established in 1947, OPT program provides a crucial bridge for students on F-1 visas to to work temporarily in the U.S. in jobs directly related to their field of study, build professional networks, and develop skills that enhance their career prospects.
Students in any academic field can apply for “post-completion” OPT for up to 12 months. Those in STEM fields are eligible for a 24-month extension, bringing their total work authorization to three years. The Department of Homeland Security maintains a list of degree programmes that qualify for the STEM extension.
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MAGA hardliners argue that OPT is H-1B without Congressional approval and it needs to be canned. Legal challenges have also targeted OPT, including a 2023 lawsuit from WashTech challenging the STEM OPT extension. However, the Supreme Court declined to review the case, leaving the program intact for now.
“Removing OPT would not only undermine the U.S.’ competitiveness in the tech sector but also negatively impact[s] the financial health of many U.S. universities, as F-1 students typically pay full tuition,” Myalil noted.
Advocates for OPT highlight its significant contributions to the US economy and higher education system. International students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy in the 2023-2024 academic year, supporting over 378,000 jobs.
Research also suggests that regions with higher concentrations of OPT participants see increased wages and lower unemployment for US workers. Beyond economic benefits, OPT plays a critical role in maintaining the global competitiveness of US universities.
Restricting OPT could have far-reaching consequences. A Business Roundtable study estimates that curbing the program might cost 443,000 jobs over a decade, including 255,000 held by US-born workers. It also warns of potential declines in hourly wages and GDP, further underscoring OPT’s economic importance.