Indian Students Brace as USCIS Nominee Targets OPT Program
Joseph Edlow, Trump’s nominee to lead USCIS, signaled intent to end Optional Practical Training, sparking concern among 69,000 Indian graduates relying on the program.
WASHINGTON — The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which enables international students to work in the U.S. after completing their degrees, is once again under scrutiny.
Joseph Edlow, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead USCIS, has expressed intentions to terminate the program, raising concerns among the international student community, particularly Indian students.
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During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this month, Edlow questioned the legal foundations of OPT, suggesting that the courts had misapplied the law in past rulings that upheld the program.
Edlow indicated support for ending post-study work authorization, which would significantly restrict the employment options of international students.
“I think the way in which OPT has been handled over the past four years, with the help of certain decisions coming out of the DC Circuit Court, have been a real problem in terms of misapplication of the law,” Edlow said, as reported by Times of India.
The OPT program currently permits foreign graduates—particularly in STEM fields—to work in the U.S. for up to three years. Many Indian students consider this period essential for gaining experience and securing sponsorship. According to the Economic Times, around 69,000 Indian students were on OPT as of the latest academic year.
While a 2022 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the legality of the program, critics like Edlow argue that the DHS overstepped its authority in creating it. A challenge to the ruling by a Washington-based labor union was declined by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023, allowing OPT to continue—for now.
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The potential termination of OPT has caused considerable anxiety among Indian graduates. Many recent graduates have shared their concerns, stating that the ambiguity has severely impacted their employment opportunities, with local consultancies in the U.S. postponing recruitment efforts until there is more clarity on the bill.
Educational institutions and policy advocates are pushing back. Many argue that experiential learning is a core element of U.S. education and that moves to curtail OPT could damage the country's reputation as a global education destination.
Miriam Feldblum, President of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, warned that “aiming to end post-graduation OPT will undermine the U.S.'s overall ability to recruit and retain top talent from around the world.”
Though a bill aimed at terminating OPT has been introduced in the House of Representatives, analysts believe it faces an uphill battle in the Senate. Still, even the suggestion of repeal sends a troubling message.
“OPT is not just a visa benefit; it's a career bridge,” said an immigration advocate quoted in Times of India’s coverage of Edlow’s nomination.
As the the xenophobic fervor Trump’s second term in the White House gains momentum, international students—especially from India—are watching closely. For many, the message is clear: the post-study welcome mat could soon be pulled.
