Overview
- The proposed rule appears on the public regulatory agenda, with publication reported as possible by late 2025 or in the first half of 2026.
- DHS says the changes would address fraud, bolster national security screening, protect U.S. workers from displacement, and strengthen program monitoring.
- Media reports say the overhaul could suspend or sharply restrict OPT, a shift that would particularly affect Indian students who often use it as a bridge to H‑1B employment.
- OPT currently authorizes up to 12 months of work for F‑1 students, with an additional 24‑month extension for STEM fields, and participation rose 21% to 294,253 in the latest Open Doors report.
- Political pressure is rising as Rep. Paul Gosar’s Fairness for High‑Skilled Americans Act seeks to eliminate OPT, with some lawmakers also floating the loss of FICA tax exemptions for OPT earnings.