USCIS Director Urges Reduction of Migration Program

The incoming director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) mentioned on Wednesday that the government ought to decrease the extensive migration program currently allowing over 400,000 foreigners to fill white-collar positions in the U.S. every year.

During a Senate hearing, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) initiated a discussion on potential policy changes, asking USCIS nominee Joe Edrow about adjustments to the transition program.

“The Biden administration… has made some significant changes, especially regarding the optional practical training (OPT) program. They’ve converted it into the largest guest worker initiative while sidestepping established rules tied to other visa types like the H-1B. What modifications do you propose to address this?”

“Thank you, Senator,” Edrow responded before elaborating:

“I believe that the way OPT has been managed over the past four years, thanks to a specific court decision, has led to a considerable problem regarding its misuse. My aim is to implement a regulatory approach that restricts F-1 employment permits for foreign students past their schooling period.”

“Thank you,” Lee replied.

Jessica Vaughan, from the Center for Immigration Studies, said the May 21 remarks are encouraging. “It hinges on how regulations are crafted, which is a bit daunting. There’s always a chance to leave open pathways for migrants to continue working seamlessly.”

However, any attempt to roll back the program is expected to face significant opposition, including legal battles, lobbying, and media scrutiny. Universities, which profit greatly—around $30 billion—from international students pursuing OPT work permits, will likely resist changes. Groups like FWD.US will advocate against alterations that threaten their interests.

“Removing OPT would severely hurt our nation’s ability to attract talented international students, thus impacting our global competitiveness, economic progress, research capacity, and future innovation,” asserted Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

Others, like former investor Isaac Husson, criticized trimming OPT, stating, “If the chances of staying are slim, astute international students will think twice about studying in the U.S. OPT is a gateway for many promising immigrants.”

The OPT program was instituted during George W. Bush’s administration, not as a result of Congressional action. It offers students a one-year work permit, which can extend up to three years in 2023, benefiting 541,000 foreign workers in various fields.

This has a significant effect on about 800,000 American graduates each year who complete four-year degrees in fields like medicine, engineering, and science.

Some OPT beneficiaries stay in the U.S. using their permits, landing roles that launch careers in reputable, high-paying companies. Still, many find themselves in lower-tier jobs, sending money back home to large families.

This influx of federal support for cheaper labor removes jobs from American states, dampens salaries in more expensive areas, and boosts stock market values.

The program often displaces U.S. university graduates, allowing companies to bypass hiring American talent while accessing foreign graduates easily and without much oversight.

OPT also feeds into the controversial H-1B program, funneling around 120,000 foreign workers into roles that U.S. graduates are qualified for, maintaining approximately 1.5 million foreign workers in U.S. white-collar jobs.

With this surge in competition, many American graduates have found it increasingly difficult to secure entry-level positions, and as per reports, the job market for recent graduates has notably deteriorated.

The unemployment rate climbed to 5.8% in the first quarter of 2025, with the employment rate at just 41.2%.

Unemployment in the tech sector was particularly concerning; for instance, computer engineering graduates faced a 7.5% unemployment rate.

“There appears to be something unusual occurring in the job market for educated youths,” remarked Atlantic Magazine. Recently, even graduates from prestigious MBA programs have encountered difficulties in job hunting.

“Conversely, law school applications have surged,” they noted, indicating that many young individuals are opting for further education during economic challenges.

This significant influx has also stagnated salary growth for university graduates since 2008, making it harder for them to achieve milestones like buying homes or starting families.

“The negative impacts on Americans clearly outweigh any minimal advantages for employers, which are primarily financial,” Vaughan stated.

“There are capable Americans who can fill these roles. It’s not about denying companies talent; rather, it’s about denying Americans opportunities in favor of cheaper alternatives. It raises questions about fairness, competition in pay, and oversight,” she continued.

Such inflows also carry implications for innovation, privacy, stock values, and national security.

According to data from Immigration Customs Enforcement, 530,000 foreign graduates held work permits through the OPT program in conjunction with the undergraduate version, including 75,000 from India and China.

A computer specialist noted that some of his relatives are struggling with job placement despite having technical degrees, while others with less technical backgrounds have landed high-paying jobs more easily.

In 2021, the Biden administration stopped providing data on the companies that employ OPT and CPT workers. Previously, firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft had hired significant numbers of foreign graduates, reportedly opting for them over American alumni.

“Those in favor of OPT need to sound the alarm,” Vaughan advised.