Colleges would owe $70,000 per foreign student in work program under DHS plan
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed making colleges pay $70,000 for each international student who participates in Optional Practical Training. The administration says the fee is meant to address fraud and abuse and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, and it is part of a broader push to lower foreign enrollment at U.S. universities.
The proposal concerns Optional Practical Training, a work program for international students. It would require colleges to pay $70,000 for each participant. DHS says the charge is meant to curb improper activity and safeguard the immigration process. The plan is part of a wider effort to cut international enrollment at American colleges.
If adopted, the plan could affect colleges that enroll international students and those students who seek work experience. Schools might face new costs or adjust participation. International students could see fewer opportunities. The proposal may also influence enrollment decisions and broader debates about immigration and higher education. Its actual impact would depend on implementation and responses from policymakers or courts.