Senator Rick Scott is pushing for a major overhaul of how foreign graduates land jobs in the United States, sending a formal letter to President Trump last week to praise a crackdown on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
Scott argues the program, which currently allows over half a million student visa holders to work in the U.S. after graduation, is an unauthorized shortcut that squeezes out American job seekers and opens the door to international espionage.
The Florida Senator highlighted a shift in the labor market, noting that since 2020, young American graduates are facing higher unemployment rates than the general public.
He specifically pointed to the tech sector, where the jobless rate for recent computer engineering graduates is nearly double the national average. “Young American graduates are struggling to find jobs,” Scott wrote, asserting that the OPT program creates unfair competition for entry-level positions.
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A significant portion of Scott’s concern focuses on national security, particularly regarding the 33,000 Chinese nationals currently holding STEM-specific OPT permits.
Citing warnings from the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, Scott claimed the program is being used by “government actors” for espionage and the theft of intellectual property. He noted that many recipients work in sensitive roles within universities and major tech firms, gaining access to innovative technology.
Legally, Scott argues the program stands on shaky ground. He described it as a “purely regulatory creation” with no basis in federal law, claiming the Immigration and Nationality Act intended student visas to be used “solely” for education.
According to Scott, the program was originally designed to bypass the annual caps Congress set for H-1B employment visas.
“The OPT program should not exist,” Scott stated in his letter. He expressed support for recent reports and Department of Homeland Security announcements suggesting the administration plans to amend or restrict the program. Scott told the President, “I am writing to commend your decisive actions to protect American jobs,” adding that he is eager to see the formal rule changes intended to prevent foreign nationals from displacing U.S. workers.
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