US flags 10,000 foreign students in OPT probe, fraud links raise alarm bells
The United States is investigating suspected misuse of the OPT route by nearly 10,000 foreign students and linked employers. The probe has raised the prospect of tighter checks and greater uncertainty for international graduates.
The United States has launched a major investigation into its student work visa system, flagging nearly 10,000 foreign students in what officials describe as a widespread misuse of the OPT programme.
The crackdown, led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, focuses on the Optional Practical Training route, a popular pathway that allows international students on F-1 visas to work after graduation.
For many, OPT is not just a job window. It is a bridge to long-term employment in the US.
'MAGNET FOR FRAUD'
Officials say that bridge may have been misused.
Acting ICE Director Todd M Lyons described the programme as a "magnet for fraud", pointing to irregularities tied to thousands of students and employers.
Investigators reported finding work sites that simply did not exist. Empty buildings. Locked offices. In some cases, multiple companies were listed at the same address, with no real operations on the ground.
FAKE COMPANIES, REAL CONSEQUENCES
The probe also uncovered what officials called coordinated networks of suspicious employers.
In one inspection, a company claimed to have just three OPT workers. Records showed nearly 500 students linked to it. Officials said basic questions about operations went unanswered, with responses redirected to contacts based in India.
Authorities also flagged financial red flags, contract violations and cross-border cash movements linked to some of these firms.
OPT rules require training and supervision to take place within the United States. Investigators say that condition may not have been met in several cases.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR STUDENTS
The OPT programme was originally designed to give international students limited, practical work experience before returning home. Over time, it expanded into a major employment pipeline, especially for STEM graduates aiming for H-1B visas.
Now, that pipeline is under scrutiny.
Officials have said monitoring will continue and action will be taken in cases of misuse. For students, this could mean stricter checks, tighter rules and greater uncertainty.
LARGER SIGNAL FROM THE US JOB MARKET
This crackdown comes at a time when global job trends are already shifting.
Across sectors, there has been a visible rise in layoffs, hiring slowdowns and stricter visa scrutiny. Tech firms have cut roles, delayed hiring and reduced campus intake. Even programmes once seen as stable entry routes are now being re-evaluated.
For international students, the message is becoming harder to ignore.
Getting into the system is no longer the biggest challenge. Staying secure within it is.
(With PTI inputs)
The United States has launched a major investigation into its student work visa system, flagging nearly 10,000 foreign students in what officials describe as a widespread misuse of the OPT programme.
The crackdown, led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, focuses on the Optional Practical Training route, a popular pathway that allows international students on F-1 visas to work after graduation.
For many, OPT is not just a job window. It is a bridge to long-term employment in the US.
'MAGNET FOR FRAUD'
Officials say that bridge may have been misused.
Acting ICE Director Todd M Lyons described the programme as a "magnet for fraud", pointing to irregularities tied to thousands of students and employers.
Investigators reported finding work sites that simply did not exist. Empty buildings. Locked offices. In some cases, multiple companies were listed at the same address, with no real operations on the ground.
FAKE COMPANIES, REAL CONSEQUENCES
The probe also uncovered what officials called coordinated networks of suspicious employers.
In one inspection, a company claimed to have just three OPT workers. Records showed nearly 500 students linked to it. Officials said basic questions about operations went unanswered, with responses redirected to contacts based in India.
Authorities also flagged financial red flags, contract violations and cross-border cash movements linked to some of these firms.
OPT rules require training and supervision to take place within the United States. Investigators say that condition may not have been met in several cases.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR STUDENTS
The OPT programme was originally designed to give international students limited, practical work experience before returning home. Over time, it expanded into a major employment pipeline, especially for STEM graduates aiming for H-1B visas.
Now, that pipeline is under scrutiny.
Officials have said monitoring will continue and action will be taken in cases of misuse. For students, this could mean stricter checks, tighter rules and greater uncertainty.
LARGER SIGNAL FROM THE US JOB MARKET
This crackdown comes at a time when global job trends are already shifting.
Across sectors, there has been a visible rise in layoffs, hiring slowdowns and stricter visa scrutiny. Tech firms have cut roles, delayed hiring and reduced campus intake. Even programmes once seen as stable entry routes are now being re-evaluated.
For international students, the message is becoming harder to ignore.
Getting into the system is no longer the biggest challenge. Staying secure within it is.
(With PTI inputs)
