Rick Scott has stepped up his attack on the Optional Practical Training program, urging the White House to shut it down and arguing that it disadvantages American graduates while raising broader economic and security concerns.
In a letter obtained by The Daily Signal, the Florida Republican made his position clear. “The OPT program should not exist; it is a purely regulatory creation with no statutory basis,” he wrote, calling for an end to the decades-old work permit system for foreign students.
The Optional Practical Training program, introduced in 1992, allows international students to stay in the United States and work for up to four years after graduation. Scott argues that this creates an uneven playing field, claiming employers benefit from tax breaks when hiring foreign graduates, which in turn gives them an edge over US citizens entering the job market.
Backing his argument with employment data, Scott pointed to rising joblessness among tech graduates. “The jobless rate for recent graduates with computer engineering degrees is nearly double the general unemployment rate,” the letter says, adding that “the unemployment rate for recent computer science graduates is over 50% higher than the general jobless rate.” According to the letter, more than half a million student visa holders are currently employed under the OPT program.
READ: ‘Backdoor jobs program’: Eric Schmitt slams OPT, demands immediate shutdown (April 11, 2026)
Beyond jobs, Scott also framed the issue as a national security concern. He warned that the program could indirectly benefit China, writing, “Many OPT recipients from Communist China have jobs in universities and Big Tech firms, giving them access to sensitive technological information and intellectual property.” He added, “We cannot continue opening the door to an enemy nation that will happily use our own research against us.”
The call to end OPT has sparked reactions online. Economist Hany Girgis backed the move on X, writing, “Finally — someone saying what Americans have been thinking. End OPT now! Our grads should get first shot at these jobs. @SenRickScott is right! @realDonaldTrump #EndOPT #AmericaFirst.” Political commentator Sara Gonzales also voiced support, posting, “Thank you, @SenRickScott,” while resharing the report by Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell.
The debate around OPT is not new, but Scott’s latest push brings it back into focus at a time when concerns over jobs, immigration policy, and US-China tensions are already running high.