Proposed US bill seeks to end OPT for international students, may impact 3 lakh Indians

The United States Congress introduced a new bill that targets the OPT (Optional Practical Training) programme that allows international students a stay back option in the US to get employment experience.

The move, if implemented, will affect the students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses the most, who get a three-year work permit after completion of their courses.

If the OPT is abolished, it will affect millions of students, including Indians, whose dreams of working in the US will be at stake.

As per a report by IIE Open Doors for international students, 3,31,602 Indian students are enrolled in US institutions, the most from any country. Abolishment of such a crucial pathway to the American dream may hamper them. Out of the 3.31 lakh, over 97,500 students are currently enrolled in OPT programme.

OPT allows international students in the US to work for up to one year after graduation, with STEM graduates eligible for an extension of up to three years. During this time, they can find employment and receive work authorisation.

Trump’s mass deportation has put immigrants on alert, as many F-1 and M-1 students from India have reportedly decided to not leave the US even in summer break, fearing that they may be denied reentry in the US.

The F-1 visa is issued to students pursuing academic or language studies, while the M-1 visa is for those enrolled in vocational or non-academic programs like technical or trade schools.

Similarly, tech giants like Google and Amazon have also alerted their foreign staff and advised them to not leave the US over Trump’s tough stance on H-1B, the skilled worker visa.