Trump moves to restrict internships for foreign students in US

The Trump administration, having already tightened residency and work rules for foreign students, is now moving to restrict internships they can take while still enrolled — further narrowing the pathways that lead to employment in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security recently sent guidance to universities directing them to apply stricter standards when approving Curricular Practical Training for international students, according to the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press on Friday (local time).

CPT allows international students on F-1 visas to gain internship or practical work experience at companies related to their field of study while still enrolled. It has been widely used for summer internships and similar opportunities.

Under the new guidance, DHS said internships may only be approved when a formal agreement exists between the university and the employer, and when CPT participation is required of all students in the relevant major.

The department warned that universities failing to comply could lose their authorization to enroll international students.

DHS said it identified cases in which CPT had been approved more broadly than the program intended, discovered during probes by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program under Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"President Trump will no longer tolerate a generous system being abused," a DHS spokesperson said.

The move reflects the Trump administration's view that foreign students are taking jobs that would otherwise go to American college graduates.

The impact is already being felt. Universities in California with large international student populations have begun suspending CPT approvals.

The University of California, Los Angeles said it had "temporarily paused CPT approvals while reviewing federal guidance."

UC Berkeley also notified international students that processing work authorizations may be difficult for now. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign similarly warned students that related opportunities could be limited.

The Trump administration has moved in rapid succession to tighten restrictions on international students in recent weeks.

It earlier announced a policy capping the length of stay for F-visa students and J-visa exchange visitors at four years, and is also reportedly considering imposing steep fees on Optional Practical Training — the program that allows foreign graduates of American universities to work in the country for a set period after completing their degrees.