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

The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the US through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, according to the Associated Press. The proposed fee, which would be charged for each student's initial application and each renewal, aims to curb fraud and abuse in the visa program, which is described as a "pipeline for cheap foreign labour."

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to allow the public 60 days to comment on the proposal before finalizing it. The fee could have significant implications for American colleges and universities that rely on international student tuition revenue, as well as industries that employ international graduates, particularly in technical and STEM-related roles.

The proposal has faced criticism from the CEO of NAFSA, an association representing international education, who emphasized the importance of the OPT program in enabling international students to gain practical work experience and address labor shortages in high-demand fields.

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