Florida senator Rick Scott has brought a bill, Prioritizing American Talent Act', to end the Optional Practical Training Program that serves as a pathway to the H-1B visa. Scott said Americans should have the first right to American Dreams and he is proud to introduce the bill against OPT which allows employers to recruit foreigners under the guise of job training. Scott's proposal would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security funding from being used to run this program. Employers get a tax break for hiring graduates under this program, making it a double loss for the US, the proposal said. The government is funding the program which is basically preventng Americans from getting hired.
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“We need to make more jobs available for hardworking Americans, not foreign workers – including thousands from Communist China – who come over to exploit the system," Scott said. "That’s I’m proud to introduce the bill to end the Optional Practical Training Program, which has allowed employers to import foreign labor under the guise of job training, removing opportunities for American workers to get good jobs. We need to make sure that Americans who work hard and play by the rules still have the chance to live their American dream.”
Scott told Daily Signal that people get shocked when he speaks to them about OPT.
“We need to make sure that Americans who work hard and play by the rules still have the chance to live their American dream,” Scott said.
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training is a temporary work authorization that allows international students on an F-1 visa to gain practical work experience aligned with their field of study. STEM students can get an extension on OPT and eventually, many of these trainees get hired by the company and the company files an H-1B petition for them. OPT is seen as a pipeline for H-1B and American graduates do not stand a chance here.
"The OPT program is not authorized by federal law. Employers even receive a tax break for hiring foreign graduates under the program, giving foreigners an advantage over US citizens. Meanwhile, American graduates struggle to find employment in industries that those OPT permits holders take up," the senator said in his statement.
"By defunding the OPT program, more jobs will be available for American workers to help them achieve their American Dream. It also closes the door on threats posed by foreign adversaries working in American industries with access to innovative technology and sensitive data."
4-year rule for F-1 students
A new rule by the Department of Homeland Security makes the validity of an F-1 visa four years. After four years, the students will have to seek an extension and go through biometrics etc for the process. Though the DHS is not thinking about defunding the OPT program, this 4-year rule will create a disruption in the OPT programs of F-1 students. Currently, F-1 students can stay in the US as long as they maintain their student status and comply with the visa terms.
