Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri is advocating for a comprehensive review of the Optional Practical Training program, calling it a “cheap-labor pipeline” that disadvantages American workers.
Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, has formally requested a thorough review of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which permits international students graduating from U.S. universities to work in the country. In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Schmitt expressed his support for the agency’s reported plans to either reform or terminate the program.
The OPT program allows international graduates to work in the United States for up to twelve months after completing their degree, with those in STEM fields eligible for an additional twenty-four-month extension. However, the program has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly in the context of the Trump administration’s hardline stance on illegal immigration and employment-based visas like the H-1B. Once viewed as a relatively uncontroversial benefit for international students, OPT is now facing calls for reevaluation from policymakers who argue that any pathway allowing foreign graduates to work in the U.S. should be reconsidered under the “America First” immigration framework.
Schmitt, who was elected to the Senate in November 2022, highlighted that the OPT program was established administratively and lacks explicit congressional authorization. He contended that the program primarily serves the interests of large corporations and academic institutions while placing American workers at a disadvantage.
In his letter, Schmitt stated, “In light of your administration’s continued commitment to America First immigration policy, I write to you in strong support of ongoing discussions surrounding reforms to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.” He further noted that recent reports indicate DHS plans to overhaul or eliminate OPT, which he views as a necessary correction to a program he describes as one of the most abused in the U.S. immigration system.
The senator criticized the current state of the OPT program, asserting that it has deviated from its original purpose. He remarked, “Today, however, the program functions as a cheap-labor pipeline for big business—and a backdoor into the U.S. job market for foreign workers.” Schmitt emphasized that the OPT program serves the financial interests of large corporations and academic institutions at the expense of young American workers and students.
He elaborated on the negative impact of the program, stating, “This system boxes young Americans out of the workforce, discriminates against American workers in favor of foreign labor, and suppresses wages and job opportunities for U.S. graduates.” Schmitt also expressed concerns that the program distorts the higher education landscape, incentivizing colleges to operate as “visa mills” and posing threats to national security and economic prosperity.
Schmitt pointed out that the OPT program was created and expanded by unelected bureaucrats in the executive branch, circumventing the legislative process. He argued that this lack of congressional oversight means that the program could potentially be reformed or terminated through executive action.
The senator also highlighted the financial motivations for universities to promote work permits for foreign students, noting that these students often pay significantly higher tuition fees than their American counterparts. He stated, “As a result, many would argue that young Americans are being boxed out of both the workforce and the university system in their own country.”
Schmitt provided statistics to support his claims, noting that foreign students now make up 20 to 30 percent of total enrollment at many elite and public universities, with even higher percentages in graduate programs. For instance, he cited that last year, 39 percent of Columbia University’s student body was international, while nearly 44 percent of New York University’s enrollment fell into this category, representing a 244 percent increase since 2013.
In addition to his concerns about the OPT program, Schmitt has also voiced criticism regarding H-1B visas. He alleged that some U.S. companies are misusing these visas to staff diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. He remarked on social media, “The H-1B visa was sold as a way to keep America ‘competitive.’ Instead, it imported millions of foreign nationals to replace American workers—and transferred entire industries into the hands of foreign lobbies.”
Schmitt’s advocacy for a review of the OPT program reflects a broader trend among lawmakers who are increasingly scrutinizing immigration policies and their implications for the American workforce.
Source: Original article