A US judge has upheld the STEM OPT program by ruling that the DHS did not exceed its statutory authority in issuing the 2016 OPT Program Rule. 

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will develop a new unit to oversee employment compliance in Optional Practical Training programs. 

Educators have warned a proposal to limit the use of H-1B visas in the US will drive international students towards alternative study destinations, as they reminded of the importance of post-study employment opportunities.

The DHS received more than 32,000 comments over its proposed duration of stay policy which would limit the time international students can remain in the US.

US authorities have threatened to "terminate" designated school officials who they claim are engaged in "wilful ignorance or a level of negligence" when placing students in OPT programs, as they announced 15 arrests as a result of work permit fraud.

Stakeholders have pushed back against a new visa rule proposed by the Trump administration that would mean international students will only be able to stay in the US for a fixed period.

The Trump administration has been accused of arriving at "questionable conclusions" from DHS visa overstay reports, in order to legitimise immigration limits on students.

Senior officials at the US Department of Homeland Security have reportedly been discussing proposals which would require international students to reapply for permission to stay in the US each year.