Keep Innovators in America
Priority Bill Spotlight

March 19th, 2026

What's Happening?

Representatives Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan “Keep Innovators in America Act” on March 19, 2026.
The legislation would formally codify the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, giving it explicit congressional authorization.
OPT allows international students who have graduated from U.S. colleges and universities to remain in their F-1 student status while completing practical training in their field of study.
OPT also allows students to apply for employment authorization so they may complete their practical training in a paid position for a U.S. employer.
FWD.us has officially endorsed the legislation, alongside 17 other leading industry and higher education organizations.

Hands-on, real-world practical training is a valuable part of the learning experience, particularly for students in STEM fields. It is part of what makes the U.S. higher educational system the best in the world, which in turn attracts the most promising students from around the world to study here.
OPT is also an important bridge to the skilled workforce. Because the U.S. does not have a dedicated visa pathway for international graduates of U.S. colleges and universities, OPT is the primary way recent graduates enter the workforce and qualify for other visa sponsorship. OPT also allows employers to build relationships with and evaluate these workers; many employers end up sponsoring OPT participants for visas afterwards.
The availability of post-graduate work opportunities directly influences international students’ decisions to come and study in the U.S. in the first place. According to one study, 80% of students surveyed said the availability of OPT influenced their decision to come to the U.S.
If students can’t stay and work after graduating, they’ll simply take their U.S. education to other countries that are competing against us. Winning the global race for talent is critical to maintaining our global competitiveness.

While practical training has existed for international students studying in the U.S. for many decades, it is not explicitly authorized in the sections of immigration law detailing student status. This legislation would clarify that OPT has full congressional approval.
Anti-immigrant organizations have been trying for decades to end the OPT program through legal challenges. While every court has upheld the legality of OPT, this clarification of OPT’s authorization would help settle those challenges.
The Trump administration has also signaled that it may attempt to restrict or even eliminate OPT. This legislation would help prevent them from ending the program through executive order.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students who are studying at or have graduated from U.S. universities and colleges to remain in their F-1 student status and be authorized to work for a U.S. employer in their field of study.
Students in any field can apply for “post-completion” OPT for up to 12 months, while those with a STEM degree can get an additional two-year “STEM extension,” for a total of 36 months of work authorization and training.
OPT has significant, measurable economic benefits for the United States:
- When international students are allowed to work and contribute, everyone wins. International students make tremendous contributions to their institutions and to the broader economy that benefits U.S.-born students as well.
- Experts have found that high numbers of OPT participants in a region are associated with higher earnings and lower unemployment for U.S. workers.
- By contrast, the Business Roundtable estimates that curbing OPT could cost 443,000 jobs over a decade, including 255,000 jobs held by U.S.-born workers, and lead to declines in hourly wages across all employees and in GDP.
Most OPT participants have degrees in technology, engineering, or business, and more than half have master’s degrees.
The sectors with the highest share of OPT workers include universities and educational institutions; healthcare providers like hospitals; manufacturing, banking, and financial firms; and technology companies.

For more, read our policy brief on OPT and our analysis of how OPT serves our national interests.