Trump proposes $70,000 fee for students to work in US

The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee for schools to register international students for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work program. Officials describe the move as a measure to combat visa fraud and reduce reliance on cheap foreign labor.
Why it matters
This policy could significantly impact the ability of international students to gain work experience in the U.S. and affect the recruitment strategies of American universities.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, shortly after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 25, 2026. US President Donald Trump (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
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