Maintaining America’s #1 Position in Education, Global Talent and Innovation:
The Role of Protecting Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Welcome and Agenda Overview
Jill Welch
Agenda Overview
State of Play: Major Challenges
Our Strategy
Making the Case Locally
Resources and Tools
Discussion
State of Play: Major Challenges
Jill Welch, Jill Allen Murray
Spring 2025 Regulatory Agenda
“The proposed rule will better align practical training to the goals and objectives of the program while providing more clarity to the public. The proposed rule will amend existing regulations to address fraud and national security concerns, protect U.S. workers from being displaced by foreign nationals, and enhance the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s capacity to oversee the program.”
Other Factors
Our Strategy
Jill Welch, Jill Allen Murray
4-prong strategy
LOCAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS.
9
RETAINING TALENT FOR INNOVATION.
AMERICA’S #1 POSITION IN GLOBAL EDUCATION.
UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FOR AMERICAN SUCCESS + COMPETITIVENESS
KEY INSIGHTS FROM MESSAGING WORK STILL APPLY
Congressional Letter - 2020
Republican signatories:
“Additionally, we urge the administration to publicly clarify that OPT will remain fully intact so we send the right messages abroad about the U.S. as an attractive destination for international students. As countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, China and Australia bolster immigration policies to attract and retain international students, the last thing our nation should do in this area is make ourselves less competitive by weakening OPT. The program is essential to the many international students who desire not just to study in the U.S. but also have a post completion training experience. “
Keep Innovators in America Act/H.R. 8013
“Codifying the Optional Practical Training program provides needed clarity and accountability for a program that allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study. At a time of intensifying global competition, it is not in our national interest to educate the world’s most talented students in American institutions only to send them abroad to compete with us,” said Obernolte. “This legislation ensures that we can retain top talent in critical fields on a temporary basis while strengthening American innovation and maintaining strong oversight and respect for our immigration laws.”
Top Employers Relying on OPT
Top 200 Employers for OPT and STEM-OPT Students (2024): https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/btn/2024/2024_Top200_Employers_OPT_STEM_OPT_Students.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1774534428660274&usg=AOvVaw19o_Yhn1XYwph_ugV3972d
Call to Action - Key Takeaways
Urge Your Representatives to Pass KIAA
Educate About Importance of OPT
Making the Case Locally
Global Detroit / E Pluribus
Resources and Tools
Apurva Hari
Evaluation and Framing
If Over 50%
"Most international students who graduate from institutions in our state are recruited from employers in our state, helping meet critical demand."
“Students who come to universities in our state cite OPT as a factor as to why they came in the first place.”
“When international students choose to study at universities in our state, spots become available for domestic students.”
If Under 50%
Why is it under 50%? Opportunity for Retention
Key Resources & Links
Resources
U.S. for Success Statement on OPT
Contact Congress to Support Keep Innovators in America Act (H.R. 8013)
OPT Observatory (an interactive dataset on OPT)
Issue Brief: The Benefits of OPT
Priority Bill Spotlight
Links
https://www.fwd.us/news/opt-bill/
Discussion:
Join Us: usforsuccess.org