Massive OPT Fraud: 10,000 Students Flagged

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said it identified nearly 10,000 foreign students linked to “highly suspect employers” under the OPT program. The statement came from Acting Director Todd Lyons and points to a growing crackdown on misuse of student work permits.

Officials say many of these cases involve questionable setups, like companies that exist only on paper, shared addresses, or locations where no real work seems to happen. At this stage, these students are flagged or under scrutiny, not all proven guilty. Investigations are ongoing.

Still, the impact goes beyond just those cases.

For Indian students, who form one of the largest international student groups in the U.S., this development will raise serious concerns. Many are already dealing with visa uncertainty, job pressure, and strict compliance rules. News like this adds another layer of fear, even for those who are fully following the system.

It also comes at a sensitive time. A proposed bill that could bring a four-year cap on student visas is expected soon. If that moves forward, it will further tighten the space for international students trying to build careers in the U.S.

Taken together, the crackdown and the policy shift feel like a double hit. For thousands of Indian students chasing stability after years of study and heavy investment, the situation just became more painful.