The fate of over three lakh Indian students in the United States hangs in the balance as the US Congress considers a new bill that proposes to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. If passed, the bill would significantly restrict international students' ability to have work experience in the US.
What Is The OPT Program?
The OPT program lets international students work in the country post their graduation. Under the scheme, Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students can stay in the US for up to three years after graduation to work. However, the proposed bill casts uncertainty over the future of more than one million international students in the US. If passed, international students may be forced to leave the country immediately after graduation unless they transition to an H-1B visa.
According to US media, employers have been favouring foreign graduates over locals as the OPT program structure saves costs for them. It is estimated that US employers save about 8% for OPT hires as they are not required to pay FICA or medicare taxes under the scheme.
With the changes, students may be forced to rely on securing an H-1B visa, which has its own limitations due to being based on a lottery system.
The proposal to scrap the OPT program comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has been implementing a series of anti-immigration measures in line with the promises he made during his campaign in last year's election. Notably, towards the end of his first term, the Trump administration had already taken steps to restrict the OPT program.
Anti-immigration policies were a key focus of Trump's agenda in the elections last year, as he campaigned on a promise to restore America's lost glory. Trump has promised to "Make America Great Again” by prioritising the well-being of locals and domestic businesses.
His recent move to introduce high import tariffs, tougher eligibility criteria for H-1B visas, mass deportations, among others, are part of his plan to protect US' domestic interests.
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