ICE: More than 10,000 potential fraud cases related to student job program
Immigration hard-liners have argued that companies have used the Optional Practical Training to avoid hiring higher-paid American college graduates.
www.politico.comI can summarize the latest publicly reported developments, but my ability to verify in real-time is limited without checking current sources. Here are the most recent signals from reputable outlets up to late 2025:
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U.S. immigration policy has been tightening around international students on OPT, with reporting that some agencies and schools saw heightened scrutiny of employment reporting and SEVIS status. This has included warnings about potential terminations of SEVIS records for noncompliance and related deportation risk, though there were also periods of status restoration after court challenges. These developments were covered by higher-ed news outlets and major business/immigration coverage in 2025. [Inside Higher Ed coverage of ICE/SEVIS actions in 2025][1]
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Coverage in financial and global news outlets noted ongoing concerns among international students and universities about the OPT program and deportation risk, with discussions of policy changes, enforcement emphasis, and potential impacts on enrollment and travel plans. [Economic Times summaries and related coverage in 2025][2]
What this means for you (key takeaways):
- If you or someone you know is on OPT or STEM OPT, ensure strict compliance with employment reporting requirements and unemployment day limits. Delays or gaps in reporting can create vulnerabilities in SEVIS status, especially during periods of intensified enforcement. [Inside Higher Ed details on reported timelines and consequences][1]
- Monitor official DHS/ICE communications and your university’s international student services for any updates specific to your SEVIS record and OPT timing, since policies can shift with legal challenges and administrative guidance. [NAFSA-type advisories referenced in 2025 coverage][1]
Would you like me to search for the absolute latest articles from today and pull the most current statements from ICE, DHS, and university international student offices? If you share your specific situation (country of citizenship, current OPT status, whether STEM OPT, and expected graduation date), I can tailor the guidance more precisely and provide direct citations to the latest sources.