According to reports, the Trump administration is considering charging a $100,000 fee for international students who want to work in the United States after graduation, likely via the Optional Training Program (OPT). As of last fall, there were an estimated 300,000 international students on OPT in the United States, about a quarter of the total international student population.
If implemented, the fee could reduce the ability of the United States to attract and retain top talent. It also could harm universities, tech companies, and Wall Street firms that benefit from the international student pipeline.
The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly considering the fee as part of a larger package of changes to OPT regulations.
