A US Republican senator has written to President Donald Trump, supporting the reported move to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign students. Senator Rick Scott highlighted concerns that the program negatively impacts American graduates and poses national security risks, especially from China. He emphasized that these work permits create job competition for recent college graduates and can be exploited by adversaries like Communist China.
Senator Scott pointed out the challenges faced by American graduates in the job market, particularly in STEM fields. He noted that the unemployment rate among recent graduates with computer engineering degrees has risen significantly, surpassing the general jobless rate. Scott raised alarm over the OPT program allowing foreign students to compete with Americans for jobs and potentially engage in espionage activities, as highlighted by the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.
Highlighting security risks, Senator Scott mentioned that over 33,000 Chinese nationals holding STEM OPT permits have access to sensitive technological information in the US. He expressed concerns about the potential misuse of research and intellectual property by foreign nationals, urging the administration to address these threats. Scott criticized the lack of a statutory basis for the OPT program and its origins as a workaround to bypass H-1B visa restrictions imposed by Congress.
Senator Scott welcomed the prospect of regulatory action by the Trump administration to address fraud, national security concerns, and protect American workers. He expressed readiness to review the proposed rule changes and reiterated his support for initiatives aimed at safeguarding American jobs and families.
