The Trump administration has proposed a significant fee hike for international students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a temporary employment authorization that allows students to work in jobs related to their field of study. Published on Thursday in the Federal Register, the proposal aims to address what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) describes as a "magnet for fraud" and an "uncontrolled guest worker pipeline." Under the current system, students pay about $500 to apply, but the new proposal would require schools to pay $70,000 for a student’s initial participation and an additional $30,000 for each extension. DHS acknowledged that schools may pass these costs on to students or employers.
The proposal comes amid concerns over fraud within the OPT program. DHS claimed to have found more than 10,000 foreign students allegedly working for "highly suspect employers," including instances of "empty buildings and locked doors" at purported workplaces. The department also cited the program’s rapid growth, with 194,554 students granted employment authorization in 2024, up from 160,627 in 2023. DHS argued that without the proposed fees, it may need to shut down the program entirely due to its inability to prevent fraud.
Critics of the proposal have called it illegal and anti-American. Doug Rand, director of the Talent Mobility Fund, stated that DHS lacks the authority to impose such fees and predicted legal challenges. Todd Schulte of FWD.us warned that the proposal could price the U.S. out of the global market for top talent, particularly in STEM fields. A survey by the Institute for Progress found that 80% fewer students would likely try to stay in the U.S. if the fees were implemented, with only 15% of STEM students expressing interest.
Zuzana C. Wootson of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration cautioned that the fees could strain institutional budgets, increase tuition pressure on American students, and diminish the educational experience for everyone. The proposal is open for public comment until November 9, but legal challenges are expected to follow, similar to those that blocked a $100,000 H-1B visa fee.