India recently became the leading source of international students in the U.S., marking a significant milestone. However, this achievement feels hollow for many young graduates struggling to secure stable employment. A recent social media discussion has highlighted growing concerns among Optional Practical Training (OPT) candidates. A recruiter disclosed that their company’s legal team had advised against hiring OPT and TN visa holders due to immigration uncertainties.
Responding to this revelation, several recruiters from different companies acknowledged that while they had previously hired student visa candidates, they were now pausing this practice. Surprisingly, companies are still open to H-1B transfers, but OPT candidates are finding themselves shut out of job opportunities. The primary reason behind this shift is the unpredictability of the H-1B lottery. Employers are hesitant to take on the risk in a politically volatile environment, where visa policies could change unexpectedly.
As the U.S. adopts an increasingly restrictive stance on work visas, Indian graduates are now being viewed as a liability by employers. Some even argue that eliminating OPT and H-1B visas helps maintain higher wages for American workers. This trend could have devastating consequences for more than 300,000 Indian students in the U.S. Without a job offer, they cannot secure an H-1B visa, leaving them with no choice but to leave the country upon completing their studies.
