In what could be a blow to students aspiring to study in the US, there are reports of the optional practical training (OPT) programme for overseas students in the US on education visas being altered. The current OPT programme permits those entering the US for education to work for a year after completing their course.
Those in the STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) streams have the option to seek an extension of this training period by an additional 2 years. This was being opposed to by the groups in the US, which are against liberal immigration policies claiming these took away legitimate jobs from US citizens. As per a Times of India report, The Trump administration now wants OPT to be amended and it may mean a reduction in the duration from the overall 3-year programme that the students enjoy.
A majority of students going to the US for studies are Indians. Under the OPT, these students don’t get paid huge emoluments, but gain work experience. The groups feel the employers in the US exploit this by getting away with cheap labour while denying Americans of their rightful employment opportunities.
“US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will amend existing regulations and revise practical training options available to non-immigrant students on F and M visas,” The fall agenda of the US government rolled out recently states.
This is only a statement of intention. They will formulate the revised regulations and may become applicable to students entering the US in 2021. The ‘F’ and ‘M’ visas relate to the ones for academic studies and vocational training respectively. The OPT program is overseen by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
There is no confirmation yet on whether the training period will be curtailed. However, there are indications that the officials from ICE are visiting the sites where the OPT programme is being implemented to check if the training-employment is being offered in the related fields only.
As per the last released figures of the 2.02 lakh Indian students in the US, over 70% fall in the STEM category.