New Immigration Plan Considered to Stop Students From Working in U.S.

The Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 immigration fee for Optional Practical Training to prevent international students from working in America after graduating. Such a policy would run counter to the perspectives of educators, economists and businesses who see the students as a vital source of talent and innovation. {snip}

Educators say many international students will choose destinations other than the United States to attend university without the ability to work and gain practical experience in their field. Even before adding a potential $100,000 fee, countries competing with the U.S. for international students offered more generous post-graduation policies than under U.S. law and regulation. Engaging in Optional Practical Training also allows students to earn money, which would not be possible if the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee.

Optional Practical Training permits international students to work for 12 months in their field of study before or after completing their course requirements. STEM OPT allows students to gain practical experience through working an additional 24 months (beyond OPT) in a science, technology, engineering or math field. The George W. Bush administration hoped that by providing more years in the United States, STEM OPT would improve students’ chances of being selected in the annual H-1B lottery.

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The Trump administration has adopted several measures aimed at restricting international students. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has long opposed allowing international students to work in the United States after graduating. A final rule published in Dec. 2025 disadvantaged recent international students in the H-1B electronic registration and lottery process.

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Whether the employer or the student pays the fee, it would effectively work as a prohibition. Students cannot afford to pay $100,000 for the right to work in America, and few companies would pay such a fee to employ, in effect, interns for 12 or 36 months. If students cannot work on Optional Practical Training or STEM OPT, it is unlikely they could secure an H-1B in the annual lottery before leaving the country, which may be a primary goal of enacting a $100,000 fee. {snip}

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