In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Joseph Edlow, President Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), declared his intention to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a move that has sent shockwaves through the higher education and immigration communities.
At the hearing, when questioned by a Senator about his view of the OPT program, Mr. Edlow said he believed the way that OPT has been handled over the past four yours (based on certain D.C. Circuit Court decisions) has been a problem in terms of misapplication of the law. He said: "What I want to see would be essentially a regulatory and sub-regulatory program that would allow us to remove the ability for employment authorizations for F-1 students beyond the time that they are in school.”
His statement has been interpreted to mean that, as USCIS Director, he would cancel F-1 students' OPT Optional Practical Program.
Potential Ramifications of Edlow’s Policy
According to the Institute of International Education, there are 163,452 international students engaged in post-completion OPT and 79,330 were in STEM OPT for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.
If Edlow were to follow through with terminating OPT, the impacts would be immediate and far-reaching. Many thousands of international students—especially from India and China—could be forced to leave the U.S. immediately after graduation, upending their career plans and financial investments in U.S. education.
There would also be a major impact on U.S. Universities too. OPT is a major incentive for international enrollment. Removing it would diminish the appeal of American education, likely leading to a sharp decline in international student enrollment, and associated tuition revenue losses.
Elimination of OPT would also affect the U.S. workforce and economy. Many tech companies and research labs rely on OPT participants. Ending the program could worsen talent shortages, particularly in AI, biotech, and semiconductor sectors. In fact many startup founders began on OPT or similar pathways. Finally, OPT fosters cultural exchange and global collaboration. Its elimination could further isolate the U.S. academically and diplomatically.
Arguments Against OPT
Critics believe OPT displaces U.S. graduates. Such a claim is not supported by evidence. The United States has lagged behind in STEM education for many years, creating a talent gap in the tech sector that is increasingly filled by skilled foreign workers. There are also concerns of fraud. It is true that there have been cases of fake employment to maintain OPT status. The issue should be addressed by regulatory reform rather than a complete elimination of the OPT program.
Conclusion
Joseph Edlow’s comments mark the strongest executive-level threat yet to the OPT program. Whether or not he follows through will depend on legal authority, public reaction, and potential lawsuits. But one thing is clear: the future of international education in America is at a critical crossroads. The end of OPT wouldn’t just affect students—it would reverberate across U.S. education, labor, and innovation ecosystems.