There is "no evidence" that international students participating in Optional Practical Training reduce job opportunities for US workers, a National Foundation for American Policy study has found.

A record number of international graduates of US institutions were authorised to work in the country through the Optional Practical Training program in 2017, but growth has "slowed dramatically" according to a Pew Research Center analysis.

Almost 1.5 million international graduates obtained authorisation to remain and work in the US through the Optional Practical Training program between 2004 and 2016, with nearly three-quarters coming from Asia, a new report has revealed.

Presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton, has pledged to “staple” green cards to student visas for international students completing STEM courses at master’s or PhD level.

International STEM graduates in the US will be able to gain an Optional Practical Training programme extension for 24 months from May, up from the current 17 month rule, following a consultation period that saw over 50,000 public comments received.

The 17-month extension of a year-long US post-study work programme for STEM graduates will stay in place until May 10, it was announced this week. The decision by Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle gives international educators in the US an extra three months to campaign for longer post-study work visas for STEM students.

The Optional Practical Training programme enabling international STEM graduates of US higher education institutions to stay and work in the county for 29 months is to be curtailed, a judge ruled last week, though the decision has been stayed for six months.

SEVP has not adequately monitored the 100,000 students working temporarily during or after their studies in the OPT programme, says the USA's Government Accountability Office. It calls for a complete overhaul of regulation with schools providing more information on students' employment.