A bill seeking to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students in the United States to work temporarily after graduation, has sparked concern among students and education leaders.

Introduced in the US House of Representatives on March 25, 2025, by Arizona Republican Congressman Paul Gosar, the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act, seeks to abolish the post-completion OPT program. Gosar argues that the program gives businesses tax incentives to hire foreign workers, thereby undercutting American graduates.

“The OPT program incentivizes greedy businesses to fire Americans and replace them with inexpensive foreign labour,” Gosar said in a press statement. He further claimed that foreign hires under OPT avoid payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and Medicare.

However, the bill clarifies that F-1 students would still be allowed to work while enrolled in school. It specifically targets the extension that allows students to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years post-graduation, especially in STEM-designated fields.

Leaders back OPT program

Education leaders warn that ending the OPT program could severely impact the U.S. higher education sector.

Terrence Graham, associate dean for graduate education and chief international officer at the USC Mann School of Pharmacy, in a previous interaction, said, "I think it's important for US higher education to keep inviting students from around the world." "One of the key reasons students choose the U.S. is just to get as much time with OPT," stated Graham. The majority of our programs at my institution are STEM-designated, he notes, enabling overseas students to work in the United States for up to three years following graduation.

"The discussion about this issue in the incoming administration is alarming, particularly with some anti-immigrant factions," Graham tells FPJ. Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, who see the value of overseas students to the American economy, are also strongly supporting the initiative. These skilled individuals are essential to the Bay Area, and I have faith that the business community's backing will surpass any resistance.

OPT uncertainty worries students

Students, too, are wary of the bill’s implications. “There’s less than a 1% chance of this bill getting passed,” said Mitesh Singh, a student at Boston University. “Universities make so much money through master’s and OPT programs—there’s no way they’ll eliminate it soon.”

Singh also spoke about the growing difficulty in finding H1B visa sponsors. “Since the Trump administration, there’s been a lot of uncertainty. Sponsoring H1B workers is expensive; it involves legal and registration fees. So many employers are now preferring U.S. citizens.”

Prospective students like Aayushi Chowdhary are also reconsidering their plans. “The OPT scheme is important because it offers valuable work experience,” said the computer science applicant. “Yes, there are concerns about misuse, but prohibition would discourage students like me from choosing the U.S. altogether.”

Though the bill mirrors a similar 2019 attempt that failed, its reintroduction reflects renewed political interest in immigration-related reforms ahead of the presidential elections.