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Trump Administration Targets OPT Internships · GNN Daily Breaking News

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  Speaker 1: The Trump administration is moving to tighten rules governing internships
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  Speaker 1: for international students, a policy shift that could reshape opportunities
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  Speaker 1: for thousands of young people studying in the United States.
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  Speaker 1: According to officials, the proposed restrictions target the Optional Practical Training, OPT, program,
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  Speaker 1: which allows foreign students to gain work experience related to
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  Speaker 1: their field of study after graduation. The administration argues that
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  Speaker 1: the program has been exploited, with some students working in
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  Speaker 1: roles unrelated to their academic background or overstaying their visas.
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  Speaker 1: Officials say the new rules would limit internships to narrowly
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  Speaker 1: defined categories, require stricter employer reporting, and shorten the duration
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  Speaker 1: of work authorization. Critics warn that the changes could have
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  Speaker 1: far-reaching consequences. Universities rely on OPT to attract international students,
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  Speaker 1: contribute billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy. Tech companies,
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  Speaker 1: in particular, have voiced concern, noting that OPT provides a
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  Speaker 1: pipeline of skilled workers in science, engineering, and computer fields.
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  Speaker 1: Restricting internships, they argue, could undermine America's competitiveness in the
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  Speaker 1: global talent market. Immigration advocates also stress the human impact
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  Speaker 1: Many students view OPT as a bridge to permanent employment
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  Speaker 1: or further study, and limiting access could discourage them from
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  Speaker 1: choosing the U.S. as a destination. Some warn that the
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  Speaker 1: policy risks isolating America at a time when other countries,
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  Speaker 1: including Canada and Australia, are expanding pathways for international graduates.
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  Speaker 1: The proposal fits into the Trump administration's broader immigration agenda,
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  Speaker 1: which has emphasized tighter controls on visas, work permits, and
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  Speaker 1: residency programs. Supporters say the restrictions are necessary to protect
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  Speaker 1: American workers and ensure that foreign students do not displace
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  Speaker 1: domestic job seekers. Opponents counter that the move is more
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  Speaker 1: symbolic than practical and could damage U.S. universities and industries
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  Speaker 1: that depend on international talent. The policy is expected to
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  Speaker 1: face legal challenges if finalized, with universities, business groups and
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  Speaker 1: advocacy organizations preparing to contest the rules in court. For now,
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  Speaker 1: international students and their employers are watching closely, uncertain whether
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  Speaker 1: the internships that have long been a cornerstone of U.S.
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  Speaker 1: higher education will remain viable.