The landscape of U.S. immigration and student work programs may be on the verge of major change. A new push from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is sparking debate about whether international students should continue to have access to U.S. work opportunities after graduation. His latest call urges the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop issuing work permits to student visa holders—a move that could potentially reshape the future of Optional Practical Training (OPT), one of the most relied-upon programs for foreign graduates in the United States.
In a strongly worded letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Grassley warned that student work authorizations not only undercut American graduates in the job market but also create risks to national security. He highlighted the growing number of international students, especially from China, holding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) work authorizations, suggesting that these could open doors for foreign governments to access sensitive U.S. technology.
With more than 1 million international students currently enrolled in U.S. institutions—and India leading as the top sender—the stakes could not be higher. Let’s break down what Grassley is demanding, why OPT may be in the spotlight, and how this could impact international students, particularly Indians, who rely heavily on post-study work opportunities.
What Exactly Did Senator Grassley Say?
Grassley’s concerns stem from what he sees as a contradiction between U.S. immigration law and current practices. According to his letter:
- DHS is issuing hundreds of thousands of work authorizations to international students on F-1 visas.
- This, he claims, is in “direct violation of the law”, since Congress already placed caps on employment visas for foreign graduates to ensure that American jobs go to American workers.
- More than 33,000 Chinese students currently hold STEM-related work authorizations, raising red flags for national security and the transfer of sensitive technologies.
Grassley argued that allowing international graduates to work for years in the U.S. after completing their studies undermines both job prospects for American citizens and the broader security interests of the nation.
On his official X (formerly Twitter) account, he doubled down:
“DHS needs 2 stop issuing work authorisations 2 student visa holders who compete against Americans. It’s in direct violation of law & puts USA at risk of tech and corporate espionage.”
This isn’t just political rhetoric. Grassley’s statement taps into long-running debates about foreign workers, STEM industries, and how much the U.S. should depend on international talent.
Is OPT the Next Target?
One of the biggest questions raised by Grassley’s remarks is whether Optional Practical Training (OPT) is on the chopping block.
For those unfamiliar, OPT is a program that allows international students in the U.S. to work for:
- 12 months after completing their degree, or
- Up to 36 months if they graduated in a STEM field (thanks to the STEM OPT extension).
OPT is hugely popular among foreign students because it provides:
- Real-world work experience in their field of study.
- A stepping stone toward longer-term employment visas, like the H-1B.
- A way to recover part of the often high costs of studying in the U.S.
If DHS were to implement Grassley’s recommendations, OPT could face serious restrictions—or even suspension. That would deal a heavy blow to the international student community, as OPT is often a deciding factor for students choosing to study in the U.S. over other destinations like Canada, the U.K., or Australia.
Grassley’s Concerns: National Security Meets Job Market Pressure
Grassley isn’t alone in his concerns. His letter cites reports from both the FBI and the USCIS ombudsman, which warn that international student work authorizations can be exploited as channels for technology transfer, corporate espionage, and intellectual property theft—especially from adversarial nations like China.
But beyond national security, the Senator is tapping into domestic concerns:
- Rising unemployment among U.S. college graduates.
- Claims that international graduates may be driving down wages in certain industries.
- Political sentiment that foreign workers are taking jobs that could otherwise be filled by Americans.
This perspective mirrors recent changes to the H-1B visa system, where application fees were hiked to $100,000 in 2024 under the Trump administration, allegedly to discourage over-reliance on foreign workers and protect U.S. labor.
The Impact on Indian Students
Perhaps the group most affected by any potential restrictions would be Indian students.
- India became the top sender of international students to the U.S. in 2024, with more than 331,000 students enrolled across American colleges and universities.
- Indians also represent the largest group of OPT participants, especially in STEM fields like computer science, engineering, and data science.
- A USCIS report from mid-2025 showed a concerning trend: new student arrivals in July 2025 were significantly lower than in 2024, with projections of enrollment falling by nearly 50% this fall.
If OPT were to be suspended or curtailed, Indian students might reconsider the U.S. altogether. Competing destinations such as Canada, the U.K., Australia, and even Germany offer more stable post-study work pathways.
For Indian students who make heavy financial and personal investments to study abroad, losing OPT would remove one of the key incentives for choosing America: the chance to gain international work experience before returning home or transitioning to a long-term career in the U.S.
A Ripple Effect on U.S. Universities and Economy
Limiting OPT wouldn’t just affect students—it would also impact U.S. universities and the economy.
- Universities: International students contribute billions in tuition fees each year. If fewer students choose the U.S., universities—especially public ones—could face budget shortfalls.
- Workforce: Many industries, particularly in STEM, rely heavily on international graduates to fill labor gaps. Reducing their access could create shortages in key sectors like IT, healthcare, and research.
- Economy: According to NAFSA (Association of International Educators), international students contributed over $40 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023. Curtailing OPT could reduce that figure significantly.
This creates a dilemma: while protecting jobs for Americans is a political priority, international students have long been a cornerstone of U.S. higher education and innovation.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for OPT and Student Visas?
At the moment, DHS has not announced any changes to OPT or student work authorizations. Grassley’s call is a demand, not a policy shift. However, given the current political climate, immigration and work permits are becoming increasingly central to the 2025 U.S. policy debate.
Possible scenarios include:
- Tighter restrictions on which fields qualify for OPT (with STEM programs likely scrutinized the most).
- Shortened durations for post-study work authorization.
- Higher fees or caps to limit the number of OPT participants.
- In the most extreme case, an end to OPT entirely—though this would face significant resistance from universities, employers, and student advocates.
For now, international students—particularly from India and China—will be watching developments closely.
Final Thoughts
Senator Grassley’s demand to end work authorizations for student visa holders adds fresh uncertainty to the already complex world of U.S. immigration. His claim that foreign students “compete against Americans” and pose national security risks may resonate with certain domestic audiences, but it also risks alienating a group that has historically fueled American universities, industries, and innovation.
If OPT becomes the next target, the U.S. could lose not only international talent but also its competitive edge in global education. For thousands of Indian students and their families, this debate isn’t just political—it’s deeply personal, with futures, finances, and careers hanging in the balance.
The months ahead will be critical. DHS’s response—or silence—will shape the next chapter of America’s relationship with international students. Until then, planning to study in the U.S. requires more caution than ever.
