Has a bill been introduced in the US Congress to eliminate the OPT program for international students?
Yes, multiple bills have been introduced to eliminate OPT, including the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act and the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act. Counter legislation to protect OPT exists too. None of these bills have passed both chambers or been signed into law, so OPT remains fully operational today.
Your OPT status is not currently at risk from any passed law. Several bills in Congress do propose ending the program, but every one of them remains a proposal, and a separate bipartisan bill is actively pushing to protect OPT permanently instead, so nothing has changed for students on OPT right now.
Where Each Bill Currently Stands
| Bill | Goal | Status |
|---|---|---|
| American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act | Overhaul H-1B, abolish OPT | Proposal only |
| Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act | Terminate OPT program | Proposal only |
| Bipartisan OPT Codification Bill | Write OPT permanently into law | Proposal only |
What This Actually Means For You
- A bill must clear the House, clear the Senate, and be signed by the President before it becomes law, and none of these have done so.
- Proponents of ending OPT argue it undercuts American wages since students are exempt from certain payroll taxes, which is worth knowing if you want to follow the debate.
- Supporters of codifying OPT argue it protects the program from being cut through executive action alone, without needing new legislation each time.
My Advice
Do not let headlines about these bills change your near-term plans, since OPT remains fully in force for now. Do keep a loose eye on legislative trackers every few months, and if you are choosing a program, favour STEM classified courses regardless, since that three year OPT runway gives you the most protection against any future policy shift.
How long can you stay and work after a US master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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