The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stern 15-day warning to international students on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, demanding they update their employment information or risk deportation.
The notice, sent on May 15, targets students who have gone beyond 90 days of unemployment during their OPT period without reporting a job. It states that failure to update their records within 15 days could lead to the termination of their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status and possible removal from the country.
The OPT program allows international graduates to work in fields related to their studies, giving them practical experience after finishing their courses. Students are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during the 12-month OPT period. This program is a major reason many foreign students choose to study in the U.S.
Although the 90-day unemployment limit is not new, the recent warning has raised alarm among students and education experts because of its urgent tone and the threat of deportation. This comes at a time when U.S. student visa policies are already causing concern worldwide.
Joann Ng Hartmann, senior impact officer at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said, “This notice is a clear reminder that students must follow all rules carefully to avoid losing their status during a time when policies have become tougher.”
While the rule has always existed, experts say it is rare for students to lose their SEVIS status just because of delays in reporting jobs. The exact number of students affected is unclear, but reports show at least 35 cases confirmed by Inside Higher Ed. At one university alone, 28 students received the warning within a day.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin warned, “If a person’s visa is revoked, they should use the CBP Home app to self-deport. Anyone in the country illegally will be arrested, deported, and barred from return. The safest choice is self-deportation.”
There is confusion about whether SEVIS termination automatically leads to visa cancellation or deportation, as SEVIS is handled by DHS, while visas are managed by the U.S. State Department.
NAFSA reports that international students, including those on OPT, contributed nearly US\$44 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023–2024 academic year, highlighting their economic importance amid rising immigration controls.
