• Source:JND
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The future of work authorisations for foreign students in the United States may be under scrutiny after Republican Senator Chuck Grassley called for an end to work permits for student visa holders. Grassley, a senator from Iowa, urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop issuing such permits, arguing that they allow foreign students to “compete against Americans.”

In a post on X, Grassley wrote, “DHS needs to stop issuing work authorisations to student visa holders who compete against Americans. It’s in direct violation of law & puts the USA at risk of tech and corporate espionage. I sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asking her to end work authorisations for foreign student visa holders.”

OPT Authorisations Could Be Impacted

If DHS acts on it, the action would most likely impact Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorisations, a program permitting international students to work in the US for 12 to 36 months post-completion of their studies. OPT has been a major vehicle for foreign graduates to obtain professional experience and move on to H-1B visas.

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H-1B Visa Fee Increase Piles Pressure

Grassley's comments follow the Trump administration's recent revamp of the H-1B visa program. On September 21, the administration released a one-time USD 100,000 filing fee for new H-1B petitions, a sharp rise from the earlier USD 2,000–USD 5,000 threshold. The increase in fees is designed to shield American workers, curb so-called "systemic abuse" of the program, and favor highly skilled workers. Current visa holders and renewals are said to be exempt.

Indian Nationals Can Be Affected 

The reforms are likely to fall most heavily on Indian nationals, who account for the majority of H-1B recipients. Indian information technology companies, especially, could be hit the hardest with comparatively lower salaries than American technology giants. Some American tech companies and startups have threatened that the increase in fees will make it more difficult for them to recruit foreign talent.

Healthcare providers are also raising concerns. Many rural hospitals rely on foreign doctors working under H-1B visas to fill critical staffing gaps. The fee hike and potential restrictions on student work permits could exacerbate shortages in these areas. 

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