Trump proposes $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in US

The US administration, under President Donald Trump, has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the country through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the fee on Wednesday, stating that schools would be required to pay it for every international student participating in the programme.

The fee, which includes an initial $70,000 application fee and a $30,000 renewal fee, is part of the administration's efforts to restrict foreign student enrolment and employment in the US. DHS described the fee as a response to fraud and abuse of the visa programme, calling it a "pipeline for cheap foreign labour." The proposal could significantly impact American colleges and universities that rely on international students for tuition revenue, as well as industries that employ international graduates in technical and STEM-related roles.

The CEOs of NAFSA, an association representing international education, expressed concerns about the impact on American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.