Call for Abolition of Foreign Student Work Authorizations Cites Impact on American Employment

A recent social media post by Ben B@dejo has ignited discussion, calling for the immediate abolition of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and all work authorizations for foreign students on F-1 visas. The post asserts that foreign student visas are temporary nonimmigrant visas explicitly not intended to lead to employment, a stance that underlies the absence of an annual numerical cap for their issuance.

"Foreign student visas are temporary nonimmigrant visas which explicitly are not supposed to lead to employment," B@dejo stated in the tweet. He argued that the 1- to 3-year OPT work permit, widely utilized by graduating foreign students, has "destroyed post-graduation and early career employment prospects for countless Americans." This, he claims, has lifelong effects on their earning trajectories and serves as a gateway to H-1B visa filings.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit allowing F-1 international students to gain temporary employment directly related to their major field of study, typically for 12 months post-graduation. Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are eligible for a 24-month extension, totaling up to 36 months of work authorization. This program, established through regulation in 1992, does not have a numerical limitation on participants.

Critics, including some policymakers, argue that OPT functions as a foreign worker program without explicit congressional approval, potentially displacing U.S. graduates. The tweet further highlighted that foreign students are also eligible for on-campus work and summer employment, which B@dejo believes should also be eliminated. "We cannot have uncapped student visa issuance if any work authorization is attached to those visas," he emphasized.

The debate around OPT has seen legislative efforts to restrict or eliminate the program, such as the "Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025" introduced by Congressman Paul Gosar. This bill, which faces an uphill battle in the Senate, aims to prevent what proponents see as unfair competition for American workers. Proponents of OPT, however, argue it allows educated foreign nationals to contribute to the U.S. economy and is crucial for attracting top talent, particularly in STEM fields.

B@dejo concluded by asserting that if foreign students wish to remain in the U.S. after graduation, they must demonstrate "truly extraordinary ability" and obtain a separate visa, rather than using their F-1 visa as a "back door" to work authorization. He stressed the urgency of the issue, stating, "We cannot fix our immigration system and labor market without ending this mess. This has to be fixed now."