Trump administration proposes $100K fee for universities recommending international students
Summary
The Trump administration has proposed a new regulation that would charge universities up to $100,000 for each international student they recommend for work in the U.S. after graduation. Experts indicate that this significant cost may ultimately be transferred to the students themselves. This proposal comes as the Department of Homeland Security has advanced rules targeting the Optional Practical Training program, which has traditionally allowed international students to gain temporary work experiences after their studies.
Analysis
Trump administration: The Trump administration leads the executive branch of the United States federal government under President Donald Trump. It has directed agencies including the Department of Homeland Security to develop new regulatory measures concerning international student work authorizations. This effort includes proposals that would impose additional costs on universities participating in post-graduation employment recommendation processes. Regulatory Proposal: The Department of Homeland Security has advanced rules targeting the Optional Practical Training program for international students. Higher Education Impact: Universities have historically facilitated student eligibility for temporary work experiences after completing their studies.
Categories
politicsmacro
Related sources
- https://abc7news.com/post/trump-administration-proposes-70000-fee-international-students-work-us/19918116/
- https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/trump-administration-proposes-100k-fee-for-foreign-students-to-work-20261008-p613ps
- https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/national/federal-policies/international-students-scholars/
- https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/dhs-proposes-new-100-000-fee-on-foreign-graduate-work-program
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-administration-proposes-a-70000-fee-for-international-students-to-work-in-the-u-s
- https://6abc.com/post/trump-administration-proposes-70000-fee-international-students-work-us/19918116/
- https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/07/trump-administration-proposes-fee-targeting-interational-students-optional-practical-training/
- https://www.facebook.com/WGNTV/posts/the-department-of-homeland-security-on-wednesday-proposed-a-70000-fee-for-intern/1668076821581685/
- https://edsource.org/updates/trump-administration-proposes-70000-fee-for-international-students-to-work-in-u-s
- https://www.newsweek.com/trump-admin-proposes-70000-fee-for-foreign-graduates-to-work-in-us-12535404
- https://www.highereddive.com/news/dhs-proposes-70k-fee-for-initial-opt-participation-and-30k-for-extensions/832436/
- https://www.facebook.com/ABC7/posts/the-department-of-homeland-security-proposed-a-70000-fee-for-international-stude/1529965669272062/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/07/dhs-fees-international-student-work-program-01110012
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-administration-plans-charge-international-students-70000-work-2026-10-07/