DHS Changes Rule; Extends Stay For 20,000 Foreign Grads

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services annually reserves 20,000 visas for foreign graduate students holding F-1 visas, passing out of U.S. universities. After they graduate, these students enroll in Optional Practical Training, (OPT), which allows them to work for 12 months in America. If the employer likes their work, they then apply for their H1B visas.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please Stop Extending OPT duration

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am an Information Technology worker who is concerned about your new rule extending the foreign graduate students' OPT visa duration to 29 months. This rule will flood our already tight job market with more candidates, and will further strain the American tech workers' already precarious economic situation. I strongly urge you to not hurt the American IT worker and request you to change the OPT duration back to 12 months.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 16, 2008

Background Information

Currently, in certain cases, an F-1 student’s status and work authorization expire before he or she can begin employment under the H-1B visa program, and they have to leave the country. The Department of Homeland Security has changed rules- invoking a clause in the Administrative Procedures Act, reserved for emergencies- to automatically extend the period of stay and work authorization for all F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions. They can now stay in the country for 29 months instead of 12 months.

The new rule, applicable to students graduating in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics was passed on April 4. This will result in more, cheap foreign labor crowding the already strained job market, resulting into fewer job opportunities for the American technology workforce. Pls contact DHS and share how you think how this new rule will effect you.