The potential elimination of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program poses a significant threat not only to international students, particularly those from India, but also to the U.S. technology sector that relies heavily on skilled foreign talent.
In Washington, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is currently under scrutiny as potential legislation threatens its future. H.R. 2315, known as the “Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2023,” was introduced by Republican Congressman Paul Gosar on April 10, 2023. The bill, now under committee review, seeks to terminate the post-study work rights for international students on F-1 visas. Advocates of the bill argue OPT serves as a “shadow guestworker program,” but its opponents warn of significant consequences for the U.S. economy and global talent dynamics.
The OPT program allows international students to gain work experience in their field of study after graduation. According to the 2024 SEVIS “By the Numbers” report by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 194,554 students were on OPT in 2024, a 21.1% increase from 2023. This included 95,384 students on a 24-month STEM-OPT extension, with Indian students comprising 48% of these participants—the equivalent of nearly 45,800 engineers, coders, analysts, and scientists contributing to American firms.
The critics of OPT often argue that it displaces U.S. graduates, but proponents emphasize that the tech economy relies on international expertise, with Indian students playing a crucial role. In 2024 alone, Amazon hired 5,379 OPT students and 6,632 STEM-OPT extension workers, with other tech giants like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla also employing thousands from this talent pool. Companies like Citigroup, Oracle, Bloomberg, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA are among the top STEM-OPT employers, offering roles in pivotal fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing.
Should OPT be eliminated, Indian students will face substantial challenges. Without the program, they lose a valuable pathway to work experience, debt repayment, and career advancement. OPT serves as a critical bridge to the H-1B visa and long-term employment in the U.S. The financial implications are also severe; Indian students often invest between $60,000 and $100,000 in a U.S. STEM degree, and without OPT, the return on this investment becomes questionable.
University enrollment from Indian students has already shown signs of decline, decreasing by over 28% from March 2024 to March 2025, according to SEVIS data. This trend highlights the potential fallout if the OPT program is dissolved. Without the program, international students may seek opportunities in other countries with more accessible pathways, like Canada or Germany, causing a ripple effect on U.S. educational revenues and innovation.
Supporters of the bill argue that OPT is a backdoor to employment, asserting that the U.S. should prioritize local workers. However, critics suggest the bill could undermine the U.S.’s competitive edge and innovation by cutting off a critical supply of skilled labor. Many influential figures in tech, such as Google’s Sundar Pichai and IBM’s Arvind Krishna, began their U.S. careers on F-1 visas with OPT, further underscoring its importance to cultivating industry leadership.
The debate over OPT encapsulates a broader discussion about the balance between immigration policy and economic growth. The elimination of OPT not only threatens the dreams of international students but could also have a significant adverse impact on America’s tech future, university funding, and its innovation pipeline, which depends heavily on global talent.
In conclusion, the termination of the OPT program may have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond student hardships. It risks damaging the U.S.’s competitiveness, labor market, and position as a global leader in tech and innovation—concerns supported by organizations such as the Business Roundtable, TechNet, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who have opposed the proposed legislation.
According to The Times of India, the situation remains fluid as the bill undergoes further review. Its outcome will significantly influence not only international students but also the very fabric of the U.S. tech economy.