In recent years, international students in the U.S. have found themselves caught in a tug-of-war between conflicting policy narratives. On one hand, former President Donald Trump publicly stated that foreign graduates from U.S. universities should receive green cards as part of their diplomas. On the other hand, his nominee for director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow, has expressed starkly different views, specifically, his intent to end Optional Practical Training (OPT), a vital post-graduation employment program.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Edlow criticized the legal interpretation that has supported OPT in recent years and proposed eliminating work authorization for international students beyond their academic program. His remarks have triggered concern among universities, tech companies, and thousands of international students who depend on OPT and STEM OPT as pathways to gain experience and transition into long-term employment.
OPT allows F-1 international students to work for up to 12 months in a field related to their major. STEM OPT provides an additional 24 months for graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. These programs are not only crucial for career development, they also play a central role in why so many international students choose to study in the U.S. in the first place.
According to data from the Institute of International Education, over 240,000 students participated in OPT and STEM OPT during the 2023–2024 academic year. Without these opportunities, the U.S. risks losing some of its most promising talent to countries with smoother transitions from education to employment, like Canada or the U.K.
If OPT were to be significantly restricted or eliminated, the impact would be immediate and far-reaching. Universities could see a drop in international applications. U.S. employers, particularly in tech and research, would lose access to a pipeline of globally trained talent. And for students who invested years and tens of thousands of dollars in their education, the dream of building a future in America could end at graduation.
Statements like Edlow’s not only clash with Trump's prior support of green cards for graduates but also highlight a larger issue: the inconsistency in how U.S. immigration policy treats international students. This unpredictability undermines trust and long-term planning for students, universities, and employers alike.
While ending OPT would require a lengthy regulatory process, it’s possible for a future administration to weaken the program through sub-regulatory changes, such as delaying application processing times, redefining eligibility criteria, or issuing policy memos that restrict implementation. Even minor changes can create cascading effects, leaving students unable to start work on time or forcing them into gaps in legal status.
Still, recent court rulings have reaffirmed the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to allow international students to work post-graduation. In 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the legitimacy of both OPT and STEM OPT, citing that such work aligns with the "conditions of stay" permitted by the F-1 visa.
Numerous studies suggest that OPT doesn’t harm American workers—in fact, it often helps. Research from the National Foundation for American Policy shows that areas with more international students on OPT actually experience lower unemployment rates among STEM professionals. Other economists have linked OPT to increases in local innovation, startup activity, and even U.S.-born patent production.
International students also comprise the majority of graduate-level enrollment in critical fields like computer science and electrical engineering, fields where the U.S. already faces a domestic talent shortage.
Interestingly, Trump himself has previously voiced support for retaining international students post-graduation. In a 2024 podcast interview with Silicon Valley investors, he went as far as to suggest automatic green cards for all U.S. college graduates, including those from junior colleges.
This contradiction between the President’s public statements and his immigration appointee’s policy stance raises an important question: Which vision will actually guide U.S. immigration policy in a potential second Trump administration?
The future of OPT remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: international students, and the institutions and companies that rely on them, must stay vigilant. While sweeping changes to OPT would likely face legal and political hurdles, subtle policy shifts can still make life harder for students trying to build a future in America.
At a time when global competition for talent is fiercer than ever, preserving pathways like OPT and STEM OPT isn’t just a kindness, it’s a strategic advantage. Whether this vision of America as a magnet for global talent remains intact depends on more than just headlines. It depends on which leaders and which policies ultimately shape the immigration landscape ahead.
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