A coalition of over 500 colleges and universities in the United States has warned that a proposed immigration rule imposing a hefty fee on universities for recommending international students for Optional Practical Training (OPT) could potentially drive away international students, undermining America's standing as a leading global education destination. The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration has strongly opposed the rule, urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw it in its entirety. The proposed fees, set to be published in October 2026, would require educational institutions to pay $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation, including a STEM OPT extension. The steep charges could force universities to either absorb the costs or pass them on to students or employers, potentially making practical training inaccessible for many students based on their financial means or an employer's willingness to pay. The coalition's concerns are that the proposed fees would make practical training unaffordable for most students, compromise the OPT program, and discourage new international student enrollment. Furthermore, a decline in international enrolment could negatively impact American students by making it harder for colleges to maintain courses and programs supporting domestic students. A survey of 734 current and former international students revealed that over 69% would likely not have chosen US institutions had the proposed fees been in place, with an even higher percentage among STEM students. The economic implications could be significant, as international students contributed $42.9 billion to the US economy and supported over 350,000 jobs during the 2024-25 academic year. The coalition argues that restricting OPT could disrupt university research, employer partnerships, and the pipeline of skilled graduates, potentially pushing talent towards competing destinations such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany.
The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration has warned that a proposed immigration rule imposing fees on universities for recommending international students for Optional Practical Training (OPT) could drive away international students, impacting America's status as a leading global education destination. The coalition, representing nearly 600 colleges and universities, has strongly opposed the rule and urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider it. If implemented, the proposed fees would require educational institutions to pay $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation, including a STEM OPT extension. The substantial charges could force universities to either absorb the costs or pass them on to students or employers, potentially making practical training dependent on financial means or an employer's willingness to pay. The coalition argues that declining international enrollment would hurt American students, as colleges may struggle to maintain courses and programs supporting domestic students when international student numbers dwindle. A survey of 734 current and former international students showed that over 69% would likely not have attended US institutions had the proposed fees been in place, with an even higher percentage among STEM students. The economic implications could be considerable, as international students contributed $42.9 billion to the US economy and supported over 350,000 jobs during the 2024-25 academic year.
The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration has cautioned that a proposed immigration rule imposing fees on universities for recommending international students for Optional Practical Training (OPT) could potentially drive away international students, compromising America's position as a leading destination for global talent. The coalition, consisting of nearly 600 colleges and universities, strongly opposes the rule and has urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider it. The proposed fees, set to be published in October 2026, would require educational institutions to pay $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation, including a STEM OPT extension. The steep charges could force universities to either absorb the costs or pass them on to students or employers, potentially making practical training unaffordable for many students based on their financial means or an employer's willingness to pay. The coalition argues that restricting OPT could disrupt university research, employer partnerships, and the pipeline of skilled graduates, pushing talent towards competing destinations such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany. A survey of 734 current and former international students revealed that over 69% would likely not have chosen US institutions had the proposed fees been in place, with an even higher percentage among STEM students. The economic implications could be significant, as international students contributed $42.9 billion to the US economy and supported over 350,000 jobs during the 2024-25 academic year.