US Immigration Crackdown: OPT Program Faces Major Overhaul Amid Fears of Foreign Student Hiring Restrictions

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The US government is considering a significant overhaul of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows foreign students to work in the country temporarily. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, aimed at discouraging US firms from hiring foreign students. US lawmakers have introduced the 'Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025,' which seeks to abolish the OPT program. Representative Paul A. Gosar argues that the program unfairly competes with American workers by allowing employers to hire lower-cost foreign labor. Some lawmakers also propose taxing international students' earnings through FICA taxes, eliminating their current exemption. The OPT program allows F-1 students to work temporarily in their field of study, either during their studies or after graduation. The program provides a 12-month work opportunity, with a 24-month extension available for STEM degree holders. There are two types of OPT programs: pre-completion and post-completion. According to the Open Doors 2025 Report, the number of international students participating in OPT rose by 21% in the 2024-2025 academic year, reaching 294,253. However, the overall number of international students in the US decreased by 2-4%. Indian nationals, a significant portion of OPT students, could be severely impacted by the proposed changes. The OPT program has been a crucial pathway for many Indian students to enter the US workforce. The proposed changes, including the potential abolition of the OPT program, could limit their opportunities. The recent announcement that employers will need to pay a $100,000 fee for hiring new foreign workers has already put pressure on the F-1 to OPT to H-1B route, making Indians among those most affected.