American Dream in Doldrums: Scrapping OPT, International Students to Opt out of US Universities?
In recent years, while there has been a drop in the enrolment of Chinese students in US universities due to the deterioration of ties between both countries and some changes to the visa regime, the number of Indian students in the US has risen. However, the recommendation of a new bill introduced in the US Congress on March 25, 2025 – the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act 2025 – to scrap the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program could result in a dip in Indian enrollment in US higher education institutions. It would be important to point out that US universities are also dependent upon international students, and with a dip in the enrolment of students from China, they have become more dependent upon Indian students.
