US Immigration Cracks Down on Fraudulent OPT Employment Claims by Foreign Students
US Immigration probes foreign students over fake OPT employment claims
Image: The Indian Express
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has flagged approximately 10,000 foreign students, including many from India, for allegedly misusing the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program by falsely claiming employment. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons described the OPT program as a 'magnet for fraud' and highlighted serious national security concerns linked to these violations.
- 01ICE has identified around 10,000 foreign students suspected of fraudulently claiming employment under the OPT program.
- 02Investigations revealed that some OPT beneficiaries were managed by employers based in India, violating program requirements.
- 03Lyons emphasized the range of crimes uncovered, including espionage and intellectual property theft.
- 04The crackdown is framed as a national security issue, with heightened scrutiny expected for Indian students on OPT.
- 05The OPT program was originally intended for a limited number of students but has expanded significantly, leading to increased fraud.
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The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified around 10,000 foreign students, including many from India, suspected of misusing the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that the OPT has become a 'magnet for fraud,' with investigations revealing that some beneficiaries were managed by employers based in India, violating the program's requirement for domestic management. The investigations uncovered a range of serious crimes, including espionage, intellectual property theft, and scams targeting vulnerable populations. Lyons framed the crackdown as a national security matter, asserting that the United States will not tolerate threats arising from the foreign student program. With Indian students being one of the largest groups on OPT, they are likely to face increased compliance checks in the coming weeks. Originally designed to benefit a limited number of students, the OPT program has expanded significantly, leading to concerns about its misuse as a guest worker pipeline. This crackdown reflects broader scrutiny of the US student visa system under the current administration.
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This crackdown on fraudulent OPT claims could lead to increased scrutiny and compliance checks for foreign students, particularly those from India, affecting their ability to work in the US.
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