Trump administration seeks to restrict internships for international students

The Trump administration has issued a memo to universities, aiming to restrict certain internship work authorizations for international students. The Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP), a division of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), has noted an increase in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations that may not comply with regulations.

According to the memo, CPT should only be granted when the training is integral to an established curriculum. Institutions that fail to comply with SEVP regulations risk losing certification to enroll foreign students. This has led some universities, such as UCLA and UC Berkeley, to temporarily halt certain applications for work authorizations for international students.

UCLA and UC Berkeley expressed concern over the new, more restrictive guidelines in the August 24 memo. UC Berkeley's international office stated that they would likely not process specific work authorization applications in the near future, urging international students to plan accordingly. They would continue processing "degree-requirement" CPT and resume processing "Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis Research CPT."

The university will consult legal experts to align with the new federal requirements. The Department of Homeland Security clarified that the regulations have not changed, but schools and employers should be aware that abusive practices will not be tolerated under President Trump. Trump has previously targeted universities over various issues, including pro-Palestinian protests, diversity initiatives, climate programs, and transgender policies.

Rights advocates have raised concerns about free speech, academic freedom, and due process. The US Justice Department also alleged bias in admissions practices at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services, favoring Black and Hispanic applicants. The university denied the allegations, stating that its admissions policies comply with the law and are not discriminatory.

The Justice Department has made similar allegations against other schools, aiming for settlement talks, which may lead to lawsuits if unsuccessful.