Explained: How a new US bill could jeopardize work prospects for 300,000 Indian students

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The American dream is slipping further out of reach for many Indian students as US President Donald Trump intensifies his "Make America Great Again" agenda.

On March 25, Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona, backed by Trump allies, introduced the “Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act.” Bill seeks to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program—sparking deep concern among international students, especially those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

This proposal threatens a vital pathway that allows international graduates to gain work experience in the US, raising uncertainty about the future of skilled foreign talent in America.

According to the Open Doors 2024 report, there were over 3,31,000 Indian students in the US during the 2023-2024 academic year, with nearly 97,556 participating in OPT— a 41 per cent increase from the previous year.

Let’s break down what the OPT program really is—and why its potential removal could deal a major blow to Indian and other international students.

What is OPT? 

For thousands of Indian students, OPT isn’t just a bonus—it’s a bridge. It connects their academic journey to real-world job opportunities and, for many, opens the door to long-term career prospects or even eventual permanent residency.

International students on an F-1 visa have two main OPT options.

• Pre-completion: The OPT lets the students who are studying in US and have F1 visa to work part-time during semesters and full-time during breaks.
• Post-completion: This allows the students to work full time or part time after they complete their graduation for up to 12 months. For STEM graduates, that period can be extended by an additional 24 months—giving them up to 3 years of hands-on experience in their field of study.

Over the years, OPT has gained popularity among international students. In 2007, OPT saw 24,838 participants while Stem OPT saw just two students. However, in 2023, this number rose to 1,60,627 and 62,036 respectively.

Impact on Indian students

As Indian students living in US for studies on F1 are already struggling as the US administration is revoking their visas. Many incidents have occurred where Indian students have had their visas revoked despite being innocent or involved in minor infractions that typically do not warrant such severe action.

According to a report by the Times of India, several Indian students studying in the U.S. were recently caught off guard after receiving emails from their designated school officials (DSOs).

The messages informed them that their F-1 student visas had been rendered invalid, and they were instructed to leave the country without delay. For many, it was a sudden and distressing development, throwing their academic and professional plans into uncertainty.

Many Indian students travel to the U.S. for higher education by taking out substantial student loans, hoping to build successful careers and eventually gain permanent residency.

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program plays a crucial role in this journey, offering them valuable work experience and a pathway to longer-term employment.

If the OPT program is revoked, it could force students to leave the country abruptly without the chance to transition to another work visa—jeopardizing both their career plans and their ability to repay loans, explained immigration expert Poorvi Chothani of LawQuest to The Logical Indian.

According to Economical Times report, several Indian students have cancelled their summer travel plans fearing they may not be allowed to re-enter the country.

Prestigious institutions such as Cornell, Columbia, and Yale have unofficially advised overseas students to avoid travelling home over the break, the report mentioned.

For thousands of Indian students building their futures in the US, the uncertainty around OPT threatens years of hard work and hope. With so much on the line, every policy shift carries life-changing consequences.