The Trump administration's plan that could "close the door" to Israelis

The Trump administration is advancing a plan to charge $70,000 from foreign students in the OPT program for work in the US, which could harm thousands of Israelis seeking to gain professional experience. The fee will be collected from educational institutions, which can pass it on to students or employers. The proposal will be published tomorrow, and the public can submit comments until November 9.

The Trump administration continues its policy of restricting immigrants and is advancing a plan that would impose a $70,000 fee on foreign students participating in the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program, which allows work in the US in the field of study after graduation. The program is intended for students with an F-1 visa, allowing temporary work for up to one year, with the possibility of a two-year extension for STEM graduates. According to the proposal, the additional participation fee would be $30,000, so a graduate receiving an extension might pay $100,000 in total. The US Department of Homeland Security presents the move as a measure to protect American workers and combat fraud, claiming the program was exploited for "cheap labor." In the 2024/25 academic year, about 3,000 Israelis were included in the program. The proposal will be published tomorrow in the Federal Register, and the public can submit objections until November 9.

The Trump administration's plan that could "close the door" to Israelis