Trump Administration Proposes $70,000 Work Fee for International Students
DHS on Wednesday proposed charging universities $70,000 for each international student they recommend for Optional Practical Training work authorization. Schools would also pay $30,000 for each renewal.
- OPT lets F-1 students work in their field for up to 12 months post-graduation.
- 24 additional months are available to graduates with qualifying STEM degrees.
- DHS called the program a 'pipeline for cheap foreign labor' and cited fraud concerns.
- Fees are not in effect and take force only if the proposal is finalized.
Why it matters: Universities, tech companies, and STEM industries all depend heavily on OPT participants. The fees would fall on schools, not individual students, reshaping who bears the cost.
- Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, said the proposal would 'hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.'
How 18 sources split on this story
Where they split: Whether the proposed fees are a necessary fraud deterrent or an effective ban on international student work is the core dispute.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center presents the proposal factually, noting both DHS's stated fraud rationale and the potential disruption to universities and employers.
Associated Press8hTrump administration proposes a $70,000 fee for international students to work in the US
Fortune4hTrump administration wants schools to pay $70,000 fee for each international student in the OPT work program, as new foreign enrollment falls 17% | Fortune
Newsweek9hTrump admin proposes $70,000 fee for foreign graduates to work in US
PBS NewsHour2hTrump administration proposes a $70,000 fee for international students to work in the U.S.WYWKBN Youngstown5hTrump administration proposes $70,000 fee for international students to work in the USLeft coverage, 5 sources: The left frames the proposal as another step in a broader administration campaign against international students and higher education, stressing harm to American competitiveness.
Los Angeles Times7hTrump administration proposes a $70,000 fee for international students to work in the U.S.
The Independent8hTrump administration proposes a $70,000 fee for international students to work in the US
Politico6hDHS proposes $70K fee for international student work program
Raw Story5hExperts gasp at new Trump move expected to 'decimate' science and technology workersTBGThe Boston Globe8hTrump proposes $70,000 fee for international students to work in USRight coverage, 6 sources: The right leads with the administration's fraud and worker-protection justifications while noting the fees are not yet in effect.
Citizen Free Press2hDHS plans to charge international students $70,000.
The Epoch Times23hDHS Proposes $70,000 Fee for Foreign Students to Work in the US
Just the News23hDHS floats $70K fee for international student work program
The Washington Times8hDHS proposes massive new fees for foreign students who want to work
Townhall5hDHS Proposes New Rule to Provide Opportunities for American Students
WND40m‘This is a great win’: $70,000 participation fee planned for foreign students in Optional Practical Training program * WorldNetDaily * by Bob UnruhWhat’s next: The public has 60 days to comment before DHS can finalize and enforce the rule.
- Higher education groups or business associations could challenge the rule in court.
- Would universities absorb the fees, pass costs to students, or stop sponsoring OPT applications entirely?
- Could courts block this rule as they blocked the four-year enrollment cap in September?