Indian students and professionals in the United States are growing increasingly concerned about the potential tightening of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which serves as a crucial avenue for gaining work experience and transitioning to H-1B visas. Ongoing political debates have led to criticisms that the program is unfair to American workers, leaving thousands of Indian students uncertain about their career prospects.
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs have long played an essential role for international students on F-1 visas, providing opportunities for work experience. During the 2022-2023 academic year, around 69,000 Indian students participated in the OPT program. However, recent policy discussions and the legacy of former President Donald Trump’s stricter immigration stance have put the future of these programs at risk.
Understanding OPT and CPT
OPT permits students to work in the U.S. either before or after graduation, granting 12 months of work authorization. Those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for a 24-month extension, bringing their total work authorization period to 36 months.
CPT, on the other hand, is tailored for work experiences that are directly tied to a student’s coursework. It allows part-time or full-time employment but comes with a critical restriction—students who complete more than 12 months of full-time CPT become ineligible for OPT.
Both programs require formal approval. While universities oversee the initial process through their Designated School Officials (DSOs), OPT participants must also secure authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Increased Scrutiny on OPT and CPT
During a U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearing on January 22, 2025, Jessica M. Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, criticized both OPT and CPT, claiming they lack congressional authorization and are exploited by diploma mills that issue fraudulent work permits. “They should be eliminated or much more closely regulated,” Vaughan stated, emphasizing that these programs have contributed to the growth of the largest guest worker population in the U.S., with approximately 540,000 former students working under minimal oversight.
Concerns over the impact on American workers have also driven legal challenges. In 2022, the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) filed a lawsuit arguing that OPT enables employers to sidestep the H-1B visa cap, ultimately disadvantaging U.S. workers.
Adding to the scrutiny, instances of fraud and security risks have heightened calls for reform. In 2016, U.S. authorities created the fictitious University of Northern New Jersey to expose fraudulent CPT users. Jon Feere, former chief of staff at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has since highlighted multiple concerns regarding the program’s oversight.
The Issue of No Cap on OPT
The sheer scale of participation in these programs is noteworthy. In the fiscal year 2023, 539,382 foreign students were employed under OPT, STEM OPT, and CPT combined. Unlike the H-1B visa program, which is subject to an annual cap, these programs have no numerical limitations. The breakdown includes 276,452 students under OPT, 122,101 under STEM OPT, and 140,829 under CPT.
Proposed policy changes aim to introduce stricter regulations. Vaughan has suggested implementing stronger oversight on educational institutions that issue visa paperwork, advocating for the revocation of certifications for schools with high student overstay rates. Feere has proposed limiting OPT to fields where practical training is essential for all students, not just international ones, ensuring that the program maintains its educational purpose rather than turning into a source of inexpensive labor.
Pushback from Universities and Tech Industry
Universities have resisted these potential restrictions, arguing that OPT is crucial for attracting international students, who collectively contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. Institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, actively support OPT as a valuable tool for students to gain real-world experience, enhancing their professional development.
Additionally, leading technology companies—including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon—rely heavily on the OPT program to recruit international talent for roles in software engineering, data science, and product management. These companies value the diverse skill sets and perspectives that international students bring to the workforce, further reinforcing the argument for maintaining the program.
With the future of OPT and CPT under increasing political scrutiny, Indian students in the U.S. are left in a state of uncertainty, hoping that policy decisions will continue to support their career aspirations while addressing broader economic and workforce concerns.