Consultant Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.)
not too long ago launched the Accountable Sensible Coaching Act, a invoice that goals to
reform the controversial and FAIR-opposed Elective Sensible Coaching (OPT)
program. Part of the bigger F-1 scholar visa program, OPT permits F-1
graduates to increase their keep in the USA by working for 1-2 years
following their commencement.
OPT capabilities like a guestworker program with the added caveat that employers who rent OPT graduates pay zero payroll taxes on their employment. This makes hiring OPT staff considerably cheaper than hiring Individuals and even authorized everlasting residents, and distinguished know-how firms reminiscent of Google, Amazon, and Intel make the most of the OPT program for this very objective.
The Cawthorn invoice eliminates OPT extensions, reduces this system size to 6 months in whole, and restricts the flexibility of OPT graduates – practically a 3rd of whom are Chinese language – from working in nationwide safety associated fields. The invoice additionally requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct a wage evaluation of this system. This could give Congress, watchdog teams, and on a regular basis Individuals a first-hand-look into the wage variations between OPT guestworkers and Individuals working in the identical roles.
It’s price noting that FAIR has lengthy opposed the existence of the OPT program. Final yr’s Immigration Reform Blueprint for the American Employee referred to as on former President Trump to direct the Division of Homeland Safety to finish this pointless program as a way to defend American staff, notably latest graduates getting into a poor job market. We applaud Rep. Cawthorn’s management on this difficulty, in addition to his colleagues who’ve joined the trouble.