Washington, DC — The Trump administration is proposing a $70,000 fee for international students seeking work experience in the United States through the Optional Practical Training program, a change universities say could sharply reduce foreign enrollment.
Under the proposed Department of Homeland Security rule, schools would have to pay $70,000 for each student’s initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for subsequent recommendations. OPT allows international students to work in jobs related to their field of study, generally for one year and up to three years for qualifying STEM graduates.
DHS says the fee would address fraud and what it calls the program’s use as a source of inexpensive foreign labor.
Higher education groups strongly disagree. NAFSA, an association representing international educators, says OPT helps U.S. employers fill high-demand positions and gives graduates practical experience that contributes to innovation and economic growth.
The proposal arrives as international enrollment is already declining. New international student enrollment fell 17% last fall, according to higher education groups, with some institutions reporting substantially larger drops.
The public will have 60 days to comment before DHS can finalize the rule. Universities and immigration attorneys have also signaled that any final version could face legal challenges.
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