The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a popular route for international students, including many from India, to gain work experience in the United States after graduation, is now facing increasing scrutiny. As debates over foreign worker programmes intensify, the future of OPT has become uncertain, raising concerns for Indian students who rely on it for professional opportunities.
Initially designed as a temporary skill development programme, OPT permits foreign students on F-1 visas to work in the US for up to three years if they have a degree in a STEM field. For many Indian students, this has been a vital opportunity to gain experience in the US job market. However, growing criticism suggests that the programme has evolved into a long-term immigration route, bypassing traditional pathways like the H-1B visa system.
Critics argue that the OPT programme is being exploited to fill American jobs, with some calling it a “backdoor” into the US workforce.
The US Tech Workers group has been vocal in its opposition, accusing the programme of operating without Congressional approval and undermining job prospects for American graduates. “The OPT programme is a guest worker scheme disguised as an internship for foreign students,” the group said on X. “Created illegally like DACA, Trump should end OPT to protect American college grads from unfair competition.”
For Indian students, OPT has often served as a stepping stone to obtaining an H-1B visa, one of the most sought-after pathways to work in the US. This programme, particularly for STEM graduates, is essential for maintaining the flow of skilled workers to US companies, many of which rely heavily on international talent. As the debate over OPT continues, there are concerns that ending the programme could drastically reduce the opportunities available to these students.
The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) took legal action in 2023, arguing that OPT harms American workers by allowing foreign students to work without proper oversight. While the lower court ruling upheld the validity of the programme, the legal battles are far from over. With some policymakers advocating for its elimination, the future of OPT remains in jeopardy.
The potential end of OPT would have significant implications not only for international students but also for US universities and the broader economy. International students contribute billions of dollars annually to the US economy, both through tuition fees and their spending power. Universities, which heavily rely on this revenue, may see a decline in enrolment if OPT is eliminated, making them less attractive to prospective international students.
