Rep. Foushee Introduces Bill to Protect and Expand Work Permits for International Students
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on the Judiciary. There are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time. The bill is considered active but has not yet moved beyond the committee level.
Immigration bills are very difficult to pass in the current political climate without a large bipartisan agreement.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Small businesses, especially in STEM fields, healthcare, and technology, would benefit from a more stable pipeline of skilled international workers. Codifying OPT into law removes the risk that an administration could suddenly end the program, giving employers more confidence when hiring international graduates for practical training positions.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
The 'Stop the Brain Drain Act' proposes extending the OPT program from 12 to 24 months, with STEM and nursing graduates eligible for up to 48 months. The bill seeks to codify the program into federal law for the first time, providing statutory backing to prevent future regulatory changes.
Congresswoman Valerie Foushee introduced the Stop the Brain Drain Act to formally establish the OPT program in federal law. A key provision is the inclusion of nursing in the STEM category, allowing those graduates to qualify for a total of 48 months of work authorization.
Rep. Valerie Foushee introduced legislation to extend work authorization for international students on F-1 visas. The bill aims to prevent foreign graduates trained in high-demand STEM fields from being forced to leave the U.S. shortly after earning their degrees.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program.
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.