The issues surrounding student work visas, particularly Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT), have come under scrutiny. These programs allow international students to work in the U. S. but have raised concerns about fraud and their impact on American workers.
• Visa Programs: OPT allows F-1 visa holders to work for up to 12 months after graduation, with an additional two years for STEM graduates. CPT must be linked to their studies and requires a job offer.
• Visa Abuse: Reports reveal that many students overstay their visas or never attend the schools that issued them. In 2023, 7,000 Indian students overstayed their visas, the highest number from any country.
• Fraudulent Practices: Some students engage in schemes where they pay companies for fake job reference letters to appear legally employed. A 2020 investigation found around 4,600 foreign graduates involved in such scams.
• Crackdowns: Operations like "OPTical Illusion" led to arrests of students misusing their visas. Additionally, a fake school created by federal agents caught nearly 250 students exploiting CPT.
• Regulatory Suggestions: Experts call for stricter regulations on these visa programs, arguing they allow for significant fraud and unfairly compete with American workers. Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies advocates for eliminating or closely regulating OPT and CPT.
While student work visa programs offer valuable opportunities for international students, the lack of oversight and rising instances of fraud necessitate stronger regulations. Without significant reform, these programs risk undermining the job market for American workers.
https://www.libertynation.com/the-dark-side-of-student-work-visas/
No comments:
Post a Comment