Trump’s Immigration Nominee Vows to End OPT Program for International Students

President Trump’s pick to lead U.S. immigration services has announced plans to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows international students to work in the U.S. after completing their degrees.

Joseph Edlow, nominated to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), told the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 21 that he wants to remove work authorization for F-1 visa students after graduation, effectively ending the OPT program.

“I believe the way OPT has been used in the past few years has not followed the law properly,” Edlow said, referencing legal decisions that he believes expanded the program beyond its original limits.

Concern Grows Across the Education Sector
Leaders in international education have raised serious concerns about Edlow’s statement, warning that this move could damage the U.S. economy and global reputation.

Fanta Aw, CEO of international education group NAFSA, said:

“Ending OPT will have long-term consequences. This program has helped bring international students to the U.S., boosted innovation, and supported the economy.”

OPT has long been a major reason why students choose to study in the United States, as it provides real-world job experience in their field of study after graduation.

OPT Participation Is High Among International Students
According to IIE Open Doors, over 240,000 international students participated in OPT or STEM OPT during the 2023–24 academic year. These programs allow students to stay in the U.S. for one year (or up to three years for STEM graduates) to gain practical work experience.

Edlow’s plan would still allow students to work while studying, but they would lose the chance to work after graduation, which could cause a sharp drop in international student enrollment.

Experts Warn of Serious Economic and Educational Impact
Fanta Aw warned that this decision would discourage top global talent from choosing the U.S. as a study destination.

“We turn global talent away at our own expense,” she said, adding that this would hurt America’s economic power, security, and leadership.

She also pointed out that cutting OPT goes against the government’s own goals of making the U.S. stronger and more secure.

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