US Senator Calls for End to OPT: What It Means for International Students

What’s Happening?

A senior US senator, Chuck Grassley (from Iowa), has urged the US government to stop giving work authorisations to international students on student visas which would effectively mean ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

What is OPT?

OPT allows international students in the US (on F-1 visas) to work in their field of study for up to 1 year after graduation, and up to 3 years for STEM graduates.
It’s one of the main attractions for international students studying in the US, as it provides valuable work experience and can lead to long-term job opportunities.

What the Senator Said

Senator Grassley claimed:

Work authorisations for foreign students (like OPT) are harming job opportunities for American graduates.
These permissions also put the US at risk of “technological and corporate espionage,” especially from countries like China.
He believes student visas should only be for education, not for work.

Grassley wrote to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop issuing such work permits.

What the Data Actually Shows

Grassley’s claims contradict several research findings:

NAFSA (Association of International Educators) found that for every 3 international students, 1 US job is created.
In 2023/24, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy and supported 378,000 jobs.
The US is already facing a shortage of 5.25 million educated workers by 2032, according to a Georgetown University study.

So, ending OPT could worsen labour shortages, especially in critical fields like teaching, nursing, engineering, and management.

Contradiction in Policy

At the same time, experts are advising the US government to expand visa programs and bring more skilled workers into the country to fill labour gaps exactly the opposite of what Grassley is suggesting.

OPT’s Importance

Around 250,000 international students participated in OPT in 2023/24, making up about 22% of the total international student population in the US.
More than half of postgraduate students said they wouldn’t study in the US if OPT were removed.

So, ending OPT could make the US a less attractive study destination, pushing students toward Canada, the UK, or Australia, where post-study work options are stronger.

Political Context

The move fits into Donald Trump’s administration’s stricter immigration stance.
Trump’s newly appointed USCIS Director, Joseph Edlow, has already vowed to end post-graduation OPT.
Recently, the administration also shocked employers by raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 a huge increase that may discourage hiring international graduates.

In Summary

What’s happening: Senator Chuck Grassley wants to end OPT for international students.
Why: He claims it causes job losses for Americans and risks espionage.
Reality: Research shows international students create jobs, boost the economy, and fill skills shortages.
Impact if ended: The US could face a major talent gap, economic losses, and declining international student enrolments.

The future of the OPT program remains uncertain but one thing is clear: post-study work rights play a vital role in attracting global talent to the US.
For updates, guidance, and application support, contact WAC Consultants today!