A new bill introduced in the US Senate has sent shockwaves among Indian students. The Congress would now discuss whether the country should scrap the OPT program—one of its biggest attractions for students around the globe.
Titled “Fairness for High-Skilled American Act 2025” the bill seeks to eliminate OPT completely. The Republicans who introduced the bill argue that the visa program gives foreign students an unfair edge over American graduates.
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However, those who understand US visas and the job market know that this is a bogus claim.
US citizens already have an advantage in all fields when applying for jobs. It is always the companies who turn to immigrant employees when they fail to find a high-skilled worker locally.
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If this bill becomes law, the impact will be brutal, not just on the students but the universities alike. Why would anyone spend $80,000 to $100,000 (₹65 to ₹85 lakh) on a US degree if they can’t work even for a year after graduation?
While it seems highly unlikely that the bill would pass in the Senate, you can never guarantee considering the country’s bizarre political climate. The bill is more of a statement to all immigrant students, making it clear that they are no longer welcome in the US.
