A proposed bill in the US Congress has triggered anxiety among international students—especially those from India—by aiming to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. OPT enables students, primarily in STEM fields, to stay in the US for up to three years after completing their studies and gain work experience.

The potential repeal threatens to derail career paths for thousands of Indian students who use OPT as a bridge to H-1B employment. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, India is now the largest source of international students in the US, with 331,602 enrolled in 2023–24—a 23% jump from the previous year. Of these, nearly 97,556 students were on OPT, marking a 41% rise.

Immigration attorney Poorvi Chothani warns that if the bill passes, OPT could end without any fallback, forcing students to exit the US immediately. “It could crush future planning and job prospects,” she noted, urging students to accelerate their H-1B applications or explore other countries.

This legislative effort arrives in the wake of anti-immigration rhetoric and policy proposals linked to Donald Trump’s campaign, including mass deportations and tighter visa norms. Institutions like Columbia and Yale have informally cautioned students against international travel, citing risk of re-entry denial. Many Indian students have already scrapped summer trips.

Chothani also highlighted the financial setback: losing access to US-level wages could severely impact loan repayment capabilities.

If passed, the bill may redefine the appeal of a US education for thousands of aspirants.