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OPT Program Sparks Debate Over Foreign Labor Impact

8/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program permits student visa holders to work in the U.S. without full payroll tax obligations for employers.
Critics claim it encourages the hiring of less expensive foreign labor, potentially displacing American workers.
Supporters highlight the importance of attracting international talent in STEM fields.
Proposed legislation to terminate OPT encounters obstacles in Congress.

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Story summary

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program permits student visa holders to work in the U.S. without full payroll tax obligations for employers.
Critics claim it encourages the hiring of less expensive foreign labor, potentially displacing American workers.
Supporters highlight the importance of attracting international talent in STEM fields.
Proposed legislation to terminate OPT encounters obstacles in Congress.