A new challenge has now arisen in front of millions of Indian students who dream of studying in America. The government there has introduced a bill which can eliminate students to work after studying, ie OPT (alternative practical training). If this rule is implemented, thousands of students may have to leave America immediately. This will not only make his career incomplete, but he may also face trouble in repaying education loans worth lakhs of rupees. This news has increased concern among students and their families.
Crisis on OPT facility
A new bill has been introduced in the US Congress, which has created an atmosphere of concern among Indian students. The objective of this bill is to eliminate Opt (alternative practical training) facility provided to international students studying in the US. Under the OPT, students can work in America for one to three years after completing their studies. This has been a huge help for students studying especially Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses. If this facility is discontinued, students may have to leave America immediately.
A large number of Indian students are affected
In the academic session of 2023-24, most international students from India reached America, whose number was more than 3.3 lakhs. Of these, about 97,556 students took advantage of OPT. This is a 41 percent increase compared to the previous year. But now this facility is in danger. The renovation promises of US President Donald Trump include strict immigration policies and large -scale exile. This has caused panic among the existing F-1 and M-1 visa holders.
Visa experts warning
According to immigration expert Eastern Chothani, if this bill is passed, the OPT may stop completely and students will not get another work option. He has advised students to accelerate the H-1B visa process so that they can live legally in the US. Also, students who are planning to study in the US in the future should be prepared for a system like Britain, where students have to return as soon as their studies are over.
Effect on both studies and jobs
This proposed law will have the most impact on those students who have taken heavy debt for their studies. Through the OPT, he was able to repay his education loan by working in the US. But now both his career and financial condition may be in danger. In addition, many Indian students have canceled the plan to come to India during summer holidays as they are afraid that they will not be allowed to return to the US. According to reports, prestigious institutions such as Cornell, Colombia and Yale have informally advised their international students not to go home during the holidays.
