A fresh proposal in the U.S. Congress is raising alarm among tech leaders and international students alike. The bill, called the “Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2023,” was introduced by Congressman Paul Gosar last year and calls for the end of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This program currently allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the U.S. for a limited time after finishing their studies, including those with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
If this proposal moves forward, it could shut down one of the key pathways that allows Indian students to apply their skills in the American workforce after graduation. For many, this period is a stepping stone toward full-time employment, a chance to gain experience, and in some cases, a lead-up to an H-1B visa. Without it, thousands of highly trained graduates might find themselves packing up and leaving just when they are ready to contribute.
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On the other hand, leading the charge against OPT are figures like Jessica Vaughan from the Center for Immigration Studies, who has described the program as a “shadow guestworker program.” Joseph B. Edlow, the newly appointed director of USCIS, has also made his stance clear, saying he wants to “remove the ability for employment authorizations for F-1 students beyond the time that they are in school.” To them, OPT isn’t just a policy with loopholes rather it represents a larger system they believe needs to be dismantled entirely.
This isn’t just a student issue. Industry voices are already warning that such a move could create ripple effects across the tech sector. Companies that depend on early-career talent may struggle to fill roles that rely heavily on fresh STEM expertise. As a substantial slice of the talent fueling America’s tech engine comes through OPT and its STEM extensions.
According to the 2024 SEVIS by the Numbers report, published by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a total of 194,554 international students were actively working in the United States under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program during calendar year 2024. This reflects a notable 21% rise from the previous year. The increase points to how vital the OPT program has become for international graduates, especially those in STEM disciplines, as it offers a practical entry into the U.S. workforce after finishing their studies.
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In 2024, leading tech companies in the U.S. expanded their hiring of international graduates through OPT. As reported by Financial Express, Amazon was at the top with 5,379 jobs, making it the largest employer of OPT students that year. Tesla came next with around 1,170 jobs, followed by Goldman Sachs, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, each bringing on board over 1,000 OPT participants. These figures underline how critical this talent pool has become for U.S. tech and finance industries, particularly in early-career positions that support future growth and innovation.