Bill Seeks to Eliminate OPT Program, Ending Key Work Pathway for Foreign Students

Okay, let's break down the 'Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025.' In simple terms, Section 2 of this bill aims to completely eliminate the Optional Practical Training program, better known as OPT. This is the program that currently allows foreign nationals studying here on student visas to get temporary work authorization in their field after graduation, or sometimes even before.

So Long, OPT?

What does 'eliminating' OPT actually mean? If this becomes law, international students finishing their degrees in the U.S. would lose a major pathway to gain practical work experience here. Think about an international student finishing a computer science degree who planned to use OPT to work at a startup for a year – under this bill, that door would close. Section 2 is pretty clear: no more employment authorization through OPT 'or any similar program' unless Congress specifically passes a new law to allow it.

Beyond the Campus Gates

This isn't just about the students, though. Many companies, especially in tech, research, and healthcare, utilize OPT participants to fill skilled positions. Universities also rely on these students, particularly graduate students, for research and teaching support. Shutting down OPT could mean a biotech firm loses access to recent grads for lab work, or a university research project faces delays. While the bill's title suggests a focus on fairness for American workers – potentially opening up some entry-level spots currently filled by OPT participants – it also removes a key pipeline that brings trained individuals into the U.S. workforce, even temporarily.

Congress Holds the Keys

The bill also puts a tight leash on any future programs like OPT. It explicitly states that any similar pathway for student work authorization would need a specific 'Act of Congress.' This means creating alternatives wouldn't be a simple regulatory change; it would require a full legislative process each time. This adds a layer of difficulty and potential political hurdles to any future efforts aimed at allowing international students to gain practical work experience in the U.S. related to their studies.