…programme displaces American professionals – proponents
Lawmakers in the United States (U.S) have proposed a new law under the ‘Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025’ to end work permits that allow international students on F-1 visas to work temporarily during or after their studies under the Optional Practical Training (OPT).
If passed, the legislation would terminate Optional Practical Training (OPT) unless explicitly authorised by Congress.
According to the Pew Research Center, the OPT programme saw a 400% increase between 2008 and 2016, with over 1.5 million foreign graduates participating.
However, lawmakers behind the new bill argued that the programme is a loophole, circumventing the tightly controlled H-1B visa system and displacing young American professionals.
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Critics argue that ending OPT could deter international students, particularly from countries like Nigeria, from pursuing education in the U.S due to reduced post-study work opportunities.
Rozy Efzal, founder of US-based Invest4Edu, highlighted that without OPT, the high cost of studying in the U.S might outweigh its benefits, especially when countries like Canada and Australia offer more favourable options.
“If the bill goes through, it could dramatically change the appeal of studying in the U.S. The OPT helps students gain work experience and repay loans. Without it, the U.S might lose out to countries like Canada or Australia that offer stronger post-study work options,” Efzal said.
Supporters of the bill claimed that OPT undermines American workers by incentivising firms to hire cheaper foreign labour under the guise of student training.
Ritesh Jain, co-founder of LaunchED Global, warned that the move could impact the U.S tech industry, which relies heavily on skilled foreign graduates, potentially stifling innovation and competitiveness.
“Ending OPT would reduce the allure of a U.S education….It could also weaken the talent pipeline for American tech firms,” he said.
As the tech sector is heavily reliant on skilled graduates, many of them who are foreign are likely to feel the strain.
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“The U.S tech industry depends on foreign graduates, many of whom arrive via OPT, particularly in the age of AI and emerging technologies. Curbing this talent pool could hinder innovation and reduce U.S competitiveness globally,” Jain added.
The USCIS had previously updated its policy manual in August 2024 to refine eligibility criteria for OPT, including guidelines on STEM fields, online study, institutional transfers, and the grace period following graduation. Those updates also reaffirmed the 24-month STEM OPT extension for eligible students.
If the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act is enacted, international students would no longer have the legal right to remain in the U.S for employment following their studies. Critics argue that such a move may ultimately be self-defeating.
With global competition for skilled graduates intensifying, the future of the U.S as a top destination for international education may hinge on the outcome of this proposal.
