The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed charging universities up to $100,000 for each international student they recommend to work in the United States after graduation, a cost that experts say could be passed on to students.
If enacted, the policy could sharply curtail access to a popular work program, known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), that has long been a draw for foreign students, and lead to further disruptions to international enrollment. It could also upend industries that rely on international college graduates, such as tech and financial firms.
The Department of Homeland Security is proposing schools certified to enroll foreign students pay $70,000 for a student’s initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for any subsequent one, including an extension. The federal agency said the fees are designed to combat fraud and abuse, and protect American workers.
The proposed fees represent a stunning change to the work authorization program, which currently does not impose fees on universities for recommendations. International students generally pay an application fee of up to $520.
As it stands, eligible foreign students may receive up to 12 months of temporary employment authorization for work related to their field of study. Graduates with qualifying STEM degrees may be eligible for an additional 24-month extension.
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