OPT fraud: 10,000 foreign students, including Indians, under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement scanner

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating approximately 10,000 foreign students, including many from India, for potential fraud related to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The probe targets individuals suspected of using the program to gain unauthorized employment or extend their stay in the United States.

OPT allows international students on F-1 visas to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, with an additional 24-month extension for STEM graduates. Authorities allege that some participants have exploited the program by enrolling in sham universities or falsifying employment records.

ICE has not disclosed specific details about the investigation or the names of institutions involved. However, the agency has ramped up efforts in recent years to combat visa fraud, including operations targeting fake universities set up to facilitate unauthorized work.

The investigation underscores ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement and the integrity of student visa programs. Indian students, who constitute a significant portion of the international student population in the U.S., are among those under scrutiny.