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🧵DHS just published a proposal to charge U.S. colleges and universities $70,000 per student to start the Optional Practical Training (OPT) process, and an additional $30,000 for each extension. @fwd.us President Todd Schulte issued a public statement on the proposal

“This policy would be a dramatic, self-defeating step to forfeit the United States as a destination in the global race for talent.” Read the full statement: www.fwd.us/news/fwd-us-...

“The average American may not understand how critical OPT is for America’s ability to lead for years to come, but we should be clear how devastating this step would be.”

In 2024, OPT gave over 400,000 international graduates, many of them in STEM, a chance to put their education into practice and contribute their skills in the U.S., helping retain global talent rather than sending it to competing countries.

For more details about the OPT program and how it benefits the United States, read our policy brief: www.fwd.us/news/what-is...

International students, many of whom participate in OPT, benefit the larger U.S. economy. Last academic year, international students contributed $42.9 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 355,700 jobs, according to NAFSA. Learn more: www.fwd.us/news/interna...