The Trump’s administration has proposed $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the United States.
According to Associated Press reports, the latest development was aimed at further restricting foreign student enrolment and employment in the country.
Under the new proposal, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday that schools would be required to pay the fee for every international student participating in the Optional Practical Training programme.
The OPT programme allows international students to work in jobs related to their fields of study during or after their education in the US.
International students are generally eligible for up to one year of employment after graduation, while those in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields can qualify for an additional two years.
Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the fee was in response to fraud and abuse of the visa programme, which it called a “pipeline for cheap foreign labour.”
It read, “The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal before DHS can finalize it and put it into effect.
“The proposal also could face legal challenges from higher education groups or business associations that could delay it.
“Under the proposed rule, schools would pay $70,000 for each student’s initial application for the programme, while a $30,000 fee would apply to each renewal.”
According to the AP report, the proposal could significantly affect American colleges and universities that rely on international students for tuition revenue.
It could also affect technology companies and other industries that employ international graduates, particularly in technical and STEM-related roles.
Reacting, the CEO of NAFSA, an association representing international education said, “The OPT programme enables international students to gain practical work experience while helping address labour shortages in high-demand STEM fields.
“Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.”
Recall that the Trump administration has introduced several measures targeting international students as part of its broader immigration crackdown and efforts to reshape higher education in the US.
Last year, the administration began terminating the legal status of thousands of international students, with many subsequently detained or deported.
This summer, the administration also finalised a rule seeking to limit international students to four years in the US unless they receive approval from the federal government.
