Nigerian students hoping to secure jobs in the United States after graduation could face a fresh hurdle as President Donald Trump’s administration proposes a $70,000 fee for international students seeking work under a key employment programme.
The proposed fee, unveiled by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would affect foreign graduates seeking to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows eligible international students to gain work experience in their fields of study.
Under the proposal, schools would be required to pay $70,000 for each student’s initial OPT application and $30,000 for every renewal, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The move could deal a major blow to Nigerian students and thousands of other foreign graduates who depend on the programme to gain professional experience and establish careers in America after years of study.
OPT generally allows eligible international students to work for up to 12 months after completing their studies. Graduates in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields may qualify for an additional 24 months.
The proposed charges could make it more difficult for universities and employers to retain foreign graduates, particularly in specialised fields where international talent plays an important role.
American universities also rely heavily on international students for tuition revenue, while technology firms and other businesses recruit foreign graduates to fill technical and specialised positions.
Fanta Aw, chief executive officer of NAFSA, an association representing international education, warned that restricting opportunities for foreign graduates could hurt America’s economy and global competitiveness.
She said OPT provides international students with practical experience while helping employers address labour shortages, particularly in STEM-related industries.
“Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership,” Aw said in a written statement.
But the Trump administration has defended its push to tighten the programme, arguing that it is necessary to address what it considers fraud and abuse.
The Department of Homeland Security has described OPT as a “pipeline for cheap foreign labor,” signalling a tougher approach to a programme widely used by international graduates seeking employment in the country.
The proposal is not yet final. Members of the public will have 60 days to submit comments before the department decides whether to adopt the rule.
However, the plan could face legal challenges from higher education organisations and business groups, potentially delaying its implementation.
The proposed fee is the latest development in the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which has brought increased scrutiny of foreign students and workers.
Last year, the administration terminated the legal status of thousands of international students, with some subsequently detained or deported.
The government also moved to restrict how long international students could remain in the country, proposing a four-year limit unless they obtained federal approval to stay longer.
Higher education leaders opposed the measure, arguing that it would create additional administrative burdens and affect students enrolled in degree programmes that take more than four years to complete.
A federal court blocked that rule from taking effect in September.
Doug Rand, a former senior adviser at US Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Biden administration, predicted that the proposed OPT fee would also face legal challenges.
He compared the plan with a $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B work visas, which technology companies, universities and other employers use to recruit skilled foreign workers.
Rand argued that imposing steep charges would not solve the challenges associated with employing international graduates.
“When we educate international students at our universities, and they want to work and apply their talents here after graduating, of course we should embrace them — not use an exorbitant fee as a pretext to send them packing,” he said in an email.
If adopted, the proposed OPT charges could reshape the employment prospects of international graduates, including Nigerians seeking to turn their American education into professional opportunities.
For now, the proposal remains subject to public consultation and a final decision by the US government.
