Congress·In Committee·H.R. 8013

Rep. Liccardo Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Work Permits for International Students

Keep Innovators in America Act

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would write the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program into federal law. Currently, OPT is managed by the Department of Homeland Security through regulation, meaning any administration could weaken or end it without Congress. Codifying it into the Immigration and Nationality Act would make the program much harder to eliminate.
From policy text
“To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program.”
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International students on F-1 visas would be allowed to work in jobs related to their field of study, including after they finish their degree. This is how OPT already works in practice, but putting it in the law gives students and employers much more certainty that the program will continue.
From policy text
“such a course of study may include practical training and employment authorization under terms and conditions set by the Secretary of Homeland Security as long as such employment is related to the field of study, including after completion of degree requirements”
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The bill also protects students who are in the process of applying for a green card. They would be allowed to keep their student status while their green card petition is pending or approved, preventing gaps in their legal status during what can be a years-long wait.
From policy text
“such an alien may maintain student status under this section if the alien is the beneficiary of a pending or approved petition filed pursuant to section 204(a)(1)”
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Introduced by Rep. Liccardo with bipartisan co-sponsors Rep. Obernolte and Rep. Krishnamoorthi, the bill aims to keep highly educated graduates — especially in STEM fields — working in the U.S. rather than taking their skills to competitor nations.

ImmigrationEducationLabor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 19, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Upon enactment

If enacted, OPT becomes part of federal immigration law immediately

International students and employers would no longer need to worry that a future administration could eliminate OPT through regulatory changes. The program's rules would still be set by the Department of Homeland Security, but the program itself would be legally protected.

Related News

2 articles

DD News·about 14 hours ago

US lawmakers introduce bipartisan Keep Innovators in America Act to protect the OPT programme for international students

The legislation seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to formally allow international students to undertake practical training and employment authorization tied to their field of study. Lawmakers said codifying it would prevent abrupt policy shifts and ensure continuity.

The Siasat Daily·about 14 hours ago

US bill backs OPT for foreign students

Lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to protect the OPT program, aiming to retain foreign graduates amid rising global competition. Rep. Liccardo stated the U.S. must choose between educating the best students to help America succeed or sending them to rivals like China and India.

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