U.S. for Success Coalition News
On November 5, House congressional staff and policy experts gathered for a bipartisan discussion on the economic, innovation, and security benefits international students bring to the United States — and what’s at stake if US policies fail to keep pace with global competition.
Our discussion focused on educating Capitol Hill staff who are directly involved in the current international student policy debates. The coalition had the privilege of having two featured experts, Stuart Anderson, executive director, National Foundation for American Policy, and Michael Clemens, professor of economics, George Mason University, and senior fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Additionally, the briefing was kicked off by remarks from Congress’s only PhD Physicist, Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11), and concluded with senior staff from the co-hosting offices of Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17). Staff detailed how two bills would help the US to maintain its number-one position as the leading destination for the world’s best and brightest: H.R. 2627 (the Keep STEM Talent Act) and the Unleashing America’s Prosperity and Competitiveness Provisions of the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393).
Visit the US4S website for a full summary, key takeaways, additional resources, and ways to get involved!
Representative Veronica Escobar on the Dignity Act:
“Immigrants help sustain our economy and our communities – not just in El Paso, but across the country. The Dignity Act reforms our outdated immigration system to ensure our economy remains competitive and the U.S. remains the #1 destination for talented students from all parts of the world.”
Representative Maria Salazar on the Dignity Act:
“When we educate people in our universities and send them home to compete with us, America loses. We need to change U.S. policy to make it easier to keep these graduates here in America. The Dignity Act’s provisions on unleashing American prosperity and competitiveness are aimed at attracting and retaining talented individuals to contribute to the American economy and advance innovation.”
Representative Bill Foster on the Keep STEM Talent Act:
“We must expand America’s STEM workforce to compete in the global economy. Our country gives international STEM students a world-class education, only to turn them away when they want to stay in the United States after graduation and contribute their skills to our economy. Allowing these graduates to stay would help put our country on the cutting edge of scientific research and technological development and create good-paying American jobs along the way. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to build up our STEM workforce.”
Representative Mike Lawler on the Keep STEM Talent Act:
“I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025. Our universities attract some of the brightest minds from around the world, yet too often, these students leave the United States after graduation. This bill will incentivize international STEM graduates to stay and contribute to our economy, ensuring America continues to lead the world in science and technological innovation.”
New Immigration Rule Will End or Restrict Student Practical Training
Our team has been closely tracking developments related to Practical Training Programs (OPT/CPT) since the administration first took office. From the beginning, these programs have been part of the broader agenda to reshape international education in the US.
Several pieces of proposed legislation now call for either eliminating OPT or imposing new restrictions. During his confirmation hearings, USCIS Director Joe Edlow stated that he supported ending the programs — a signal that regulatory changes may be imminent.
The program has been placed on the administration’s Unified Regulatory Agenda, and we expect a proposed rule soon, possibly in December or early 2026. While a full elimination of OPT seems unlikely, we anticipate significant tightening of the rules. Potential changes could include:
Narrowing degree eligibility
Reducing the duration of eligibility
Imposing new taxes, such as FICA, on participants
Our team continues to monitor this issue closely and is actively engaging with lawmakers and their staff to stay ahead of developments. We will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.
A rule placed on the DHS regulatory agenda would change Optional Practical Training.
“The proposed rule will better align practical training to the goals and objectives of the program while providing more clarity to the public,” according to the rule’s abstract.
“The proposed rule will amend existing regulations to address fraud and national security concerns, protect U.S. workers from being displaced by foreign nationals, and enhance the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s capacity to oversee the program.” While Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for issuing the rule, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is viewed as the driving force behind it.
Read more on Forbes (subscription required) >
Trump Defends Chinese Students in the US
This week, many of us saw the President take an independent stance on international students. While recent polls show that most Americans support international education, skepticism remains among some within his party. Fox News host Laura Ingraham raised this issue during a televised interview, questioning whether hosting more than 600,000 Chinese students aligns with the MAGA agenda and repeating the familiar claim that international students take spots from domestic ones.
The President, to his credit, defended the importance of international students and their contributions to US competitiveness and innovation. While that support is encouraging, it must be paired with practical, forward-looking policies that make it easier — not harder — for international students to study in and contribute to the United States.
Trump’s defense of international students in the US stands in sharp contrast to his administration’s policies, which have created enormous visa challenges for international students, including a partial travel ban on 19 nations and a near month-long suspension of new visa interviews during peak processing time this year.
