Trump’s $100,000 Price for Work Permits for International Students
The Trump administration is considering a proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on international students wishing to remain in the country and work post-graduation, as reported. This initiative could have significant repercussions for student visa holders, who are already facing challenges due to recent immigration restrictions. The individual acquainted with the matter spoke under the condition of anonymity to address internal deliberations. A White House official stated that there was no imminent policy change; however, the official did not refute that the proposal was being considered. If implemented, the fee would render a widely sought post-graduate visa extension inaccessible for numerous students.
The extension, known as Optional Practical Training, constitutes a fundamental component of the international student pipeline in the US, enabling student visa holders to prolong their stays to acquire pertinent work experience. Administration officials have specifically focused on OPT, asserting that it facilitates visa fraud and contributes to overstays. As of last autumn, the Institute of International Education reported nearly 300,000 international students engaged in Optional Practical Training, constituting approximately 25% of the total foreign student demographic in the United States.
The proposal represents the administration’s most recent initiative aimed at reducing the presence of international students in US higher education institutions. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced the discontinuation of a longstanding policy that permitted student visa holders to remain in the US for the duration of their studies, now imposing a limit of four years unless a special extension is granted.
The fee also reflects the administration’s attempts to impose a $100,000 price tag on H-1B visas, which have traditionally directed global talent, especially in STEM fields, towards US companies. Last month, a federal judge determined that the fee was illegal; however, the White House is currently appealing this ruling.
