DHS Proposes New Fees for Foreign Students Seeking Work Authorization

<p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new rule that would impose fees on international students seeking temporary employment in their field of study. The agency states that the aim is to reduce the influx of low-cost labor into the U.S.</p><p>According to the proposal, F-1 visa holders would incur a fee of $70,000 for an initial optional practical training (OPT) authorization and a fee of $30,000 for any subsequent extension.</p><p>A DHS spokesperson stated, "Optional practical training was never meant to be a back door into the American workforce, a subsidy for cheap labor or a prize for those who game the system." The spokesperson added that the changes would require foreign students to demonstrate their value to employers, emphasizing that American workers should not have to compete against a program that has been misused.</p><p>OPT allows eligible foreign students to work part-time while studying and full-time for a limited period after graduation, currently at a cost of around $500. To qualify, students must work in a field related to their major, receive a recommendation from a designated school official (DSO), and obtain employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).</p><p>Graduates in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields may qualify for an additional 24-month extension.</p><p>DHS indicated that the proposed fee structure is a response to widespread fraud and abuse identified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The agency reported that certain schools, DSOs, employers, and F-1 students have exploited existing regulations through illicit arrangements, including non-compliant worksites and