The Trump administration has reportedly discussed imposing a fee of up to $100,000 for international graduates seeking to work in the United States (US) after graduation.
Officials within the Department of Homeland Security have weighed the proposal regarding Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, according to reports of The Wall Street Journal.
Although the administration has not finalized any formal rules, the discussion follows prior efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson addressed the deliberations by stating that the agency was “always having conversations” about how to “protect the integrity of our legal immigration system”.
The spokesperson further emphasized the administration’s broader agenda, declaring, “Under President Trump and Secretary (Markwayne) Mullin, our immigration system is being reformed to serve American citizens, American workers, and American families and to preserve our national identity, not to rapidly import foreigners who take American jobs, commit crimes, steal our intellectual property and engage in corporate espionage, and erode our cultural and social fabric”.
Further, talking to a newspaper, a White House official maintained that there was “no imminent policy change” or formal announcements regarding the OPT program
The potential policy has sparked widespread concern, especially for Indian nationals who made up nearly half of all OPT participants last year, utilizing a program that allows graduates with F-1 visas to gain temporary employment directly related to their field of study.
