Nadia Dreid, Law360, Jan. 21, 2022 "The Biden administration has implemented a pair of changes aimed at making it easier for international students in the STEM field to stay and work in the U.S. after graduation by widening the net of careers that... Read More

Here is the Federal Register notice, Update to the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List. Here is the DHS announcement, DHS Expands Opportunities in U.S. for STEM Professionals Here is the DOS announcement, New Initiatives... Read More

Li v. USCIS, July 23, 2021 - See pp. 6-14 for the good results for the Plaintiffs...and counsel! Hats off to Porter Wright attorneys Caroline H. Gentry , Robert H. Cohen and Kirsten R. Fraser ! Read More

Elizabeth Redden, Inside Higher Ed, Mar. 19, 2021 "A former international student at the University of California, Berkeley, is suing the institution for misinforming him of a deadline for applying for authorization to work in the U.S. and costing... Read More

ICE, Jan. 13, 2021 - New SEVP Unit to Oversee Employment Compliance in the OPT Programs and Report on Impact on U.S. Workers "SEVP is announcing the development of a new unit — the OPT Employment Compliance Unit — that will be dedicated... Read More

Alyssa Aquino, Law360, Oct. 21, 2020 (subscription) "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned Wednesday that universities could face penalties for approving international students' work placements that violate training program requirements... Read More

USCIS, Aug. 18, 2020 USCIS Reminds F-1 Aliens in Post-Completion OPT and Their DSOs to Enter Employer Information in SEVIS "As exceeding unemployment limits can result in a loss of status, we are reminding F-1 aliens participating in post-completion... Read More

Elizabeth Redden, Inside Higher Ed, May 29, 2020 "Advocates for international students are raising alarm bells about a possible Trump administration plan to curtail a popular program that lets international students work in the U.S. for up to three... Read More

Stuart Anderson, May 4, 2020 "Despite the peril facing U.S. universities and America’s difficulty in attracting international students, the Trump administration may impose new restrictions on students who want to work in the United States... Read More

Suzanne Monyak, Law360, Mar. 10, 2020 "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in guidance released Monday that it will be “flexible” with visa rules for international students as universities close and move courses online to... Read More

Stuart Anderson, Forbes, Dec. 3, 2019 "Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work for a time in the United States. It’s become important for attracting such students to America, particularly when new enrollment... Read More

Cyrus Mehta, July 8, 2019 "DHS promulgated the F-1 STEM optional practical training (OPT) benefit, with the publication of the “24-month STEM OPT Rule” that became effective on May 10, 2016. See 81 FR 13039 . This rule has been the... Read More

NFAP, Mar. 5, 2019 "New research from a former Federal Reserve Bank economist finds no evidence that foreign students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) reduce job opportunities for U.S. workers, according to a new report released... Read More

"A program that allows foreign science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, grads to work in the U.S. for 29 months without a work visa was expanded with little attention last month by President Barack Obama's administration. The... Read More

Neil G. Ruiz, Pew Research, May 18, 2017 - "A growing number of high-skilled foreign workers find jobs in the United States under a program known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows foreign graduates from U.S. universities to work... Read More