United States (US) lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting a vital work program for international students, including thousands from India, amid growing global competition for skilled talent.
The purpose of the Bill is to codify OPT Program
Representatives Sam Liccardo, Jay Obernolte and Indian American Raja Krishna Murthy Unveiled the Keep Innovators in America Act to enact the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which provides long-term certainty for students, universities and employers.The legislation seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow international students to obtain formal training and employment authorization related to their field of study, including after completing degree requirements.For more than three decades, administrations of both parties have maintained the OPT through rulemaking. Legislators said codifying it would prevent sudden changes in policy and ensure continuity.
Legislators emphasize the need to retain talent.
“We have a choice: Educate America’s best and brightest students to help America succeed, or send them home to China, India and other competitors to start companies to compete against us,” Liccardo said, according to the official. Press release.Obernolte said the bill would bring clarity and accountability to the program. “Establishing an optional practicum training program provides the necessary clarity and accountability for a program that allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study,” he said. He added that talent retention is crucial in times of increasing global competition.
The move follows fears of possible policy changes.
This step has been taken following the instructions of the President’s administration. Donald Trump in November that the OPT program could be eliminated, raising concerns that American-trained talent could migrate to other economies.International students play a significant role in the US economy. In the 2024 to 2025 school year, they contributed $42.9 billion, supporting businesses, research institutions and local communities, according to government data.
The bill has support.
The bill has support from industry groups, universities and immigration advocates.Jill Welch, executive director of the US for Success Coalition, said Congress “has an opportunity to provide clarity and stability by codifying OPT and ensuring that the United States remains the world’s leading destination for global talent.”TechNet President and Chief Executive Officer Linda Moore said the bill is “a smart, bipartisan step to strengthen American innovation and competitiveness,” adding that it will provide long-term certainty for students, universities and employers.Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, said allowing international students to work after graduation “is not just common sense, it is essential to the long-term economic strength of our country.”Benjamin Johnson, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said international students are “a cornerstone of America’s innovation pipeline and drivers of local economies,” adding that they contribute more than $40 billion annually and support hundreds of thousands of jobs. IANS Reports
Role of OPT in Workforce and Education
Education groups said more than 290,000 international students pursued OPT in the 2024 to 2025 school year, many in science, technology, engineering and math fields, helping to close the workforce gap.The issue is important for India because Indian students are one of the largest groups of international students in the US and rely on OPT as a pathway from education to employment.This program complements the H-1B visa system by allowing graduates to gain work experience before moving on to long-term employment paths, particularly in fields experiencing skills shortages.In recent years, global competition for skilled workers has increased, with countries such as Canada, the UK and Australia expanding post-study work options to attract international students.(with agency information)
