The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which enables international students, including those from India, to gain work experience in the US after graduation, is under growing scrutiny due to concerns over foreign worker programmes.
Critics argue that the OPT is being misused to fill American jobs and has become a long-term immigration pathway, bypassing traditional channels.
Initially designed to provide temporary skill development, the OPT programme allows foreign students on F-1 visas to work in the US for up to three years if they have a STEM degree.
Detractors claim the programme lacks Congressional approval and unfairly competes with US graduates for jobs, branding it a "backdoor" entry into the American job market.
The US Tech Workers group has strongly opposed the programme, describing it as "a guest worker scheme disguised as an internship for foreign students."
In a post on X, the group stated, "Universities are selling work permits instead of education. Created illegally like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Trump should end OPT to protect American college grads from unfair competition."
Indian students, in particular, depend heavily on the programme for professional opportunities and pathways to H-1B visas.
In 2023, the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) challenged the programme in court, claiming it disadvantages American workers. However, a lower court upheld the programme, validating its legality.
The future of the OPT programme remains uncertain. While some policymakers are advocating for its termination, others defend it as vital for attracting international talent and supporting the US economy.
Historically, both Republican and Democratic administrations have extended the programme, citing its cultural and economic benefits.
Eliminating the OPT programme could reduce the appeal of US universities for international students, significantly impacting their financial and academic contributions.
International students inject billions into the US economy annually, making the programme’s potential elimination a critical issue in the debate over foreign worker policies.