Challenges Ahead for International Students

Two major concerns are on the horizon for international students, especially the significant number of Indian students. First, there is the possibility that a Trump administration may attempt to limit the two-year extension of practical training available to STEM students. Second, a shortened visa duration could result, adding both administrative difficulties and financial strains.

Mixed Messages from Trump

Interestingly, Trump mentioned in a June podcast that students graduating from US colleges should be eligible for green cards to stay in the country. However, his campaign later specified that this would only be for “thoroughly vetted” graduates who wouldn’t undercut American wages or displace US workers. Many view this remark as merely a talking point rather than a concrete policy.

Source: Open Source Reports

Currently, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program offers international students a unique post-graduation work opportunity in the US, allowing them to gain valuable work experience for one year after graduation. STEM students can extend this period by an additional two years, totaling three years! This program was recently reaffirmed by the US Supreme Court in October 2023.

What’s Next for OPT?

According to the Open Doors Report for 2022-23, there are about 270,000 Indian students in the US, with nearly 69,000 engaged in OPT programs. Some, particularly Trump’s staunch supporters, view the extended OPT period as detrimental to American interests, fearing it may take jobs from US citizens. The conversation about reducing the OPT program first surfaced in the Trump administration’s 2020 spring agenda, but many House Republicans quickly advocated for the program’s stability. The pressing question now is: what will happen next?

“Dismantling the OPT pathway would disrupt individual careers and also erode the innovation pipeline that fuels American technological leadership,” says immigration attorney Ashwin Sharma.

While any potential policy changes could be legally contested, immigration attorney Cyrus Mehta points out that a Trump administration could still impose challenging hurdles and delays for obtaining OPT.

Currently, international students can stay in the US for the duration of their studies, thanks to an “admission for duration of status” policy that has no fixed expiration. In 2020, the Trump administration proposed limiting student visa durations to four years—and in some cases, just two years—to reduce overstays.

Rajiv S. Khanna, an immigration attorney based in Arlington, commented on this proposal: “For Indian and other international students, the proposed fixed tenure poses a problem. A four-year cap is definitely shorter than a PhD or even a bachelor’s degree course, especially as students may wish to opt for an extra semester. For those already in the US, applying for extensions would lead to increased expenses and, more importantly, add a layer of uncertainty.”

The question remains whether this proposal will be resurrected. Stay tuned for updates on this important topic!