Opinion: Demystifying our international student workforce

Racheal Dami Odunewu

As U.S. employers continue to navigate a labor shortage – with more jobs than workers to fill them – international students represent an often-overlooked but highly skilled talent pool. Yet, despite the clear benefits and straightforward legal pathways, many employers remain hesitant, largely due to misconceptions about work authorization and fears of compliance violations.

This column aims to break down the facts around CPT, OPT and STEM-OPT programs to help employers make informed hiring decisions – and address concerns recently ignited by national headlines around visa violations and federal crackdowns.

Setting the record straight
Recent federal actions have led to the revocation of over 1,000 international student visas. However, it’s important to note that this number represents less than 0.1% of all international students. The majority of visa revocations have been associated with specific allegations, such as participation in unauthorized activities or minor legal infractions, and not with students who are in good standing and complying with their visa requirements.

Employers should understand that hiring international students through authorized programs like Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT remains a lawful and valuable avenue for accessing global talent. These programs are designed to ensure compliance with immigration laws while providing students with practical work experience in their fields of study.

The data show that in 2020, the Department of Homeland Security reported 4,600 visa revocations out of over 900,000 international students – a rate of 0.5%.

Most revocations were linked to fraudulent use of OPT, often facilitated by nonaccredited or shell employers, not by students acting in good faith or their legitimate school programs.

DHS has emphasized that enforcement actions target fraudulent activities and are not directed at students who are in good standing and comply with their visa requirements. Legitimate students participating in authorized programs like CPT, OPT and STEM-OPT, and who adhere to all regulations, are not the focus of these enforcement efforts. This distinction underscores the importance of compliance and the value placed on international students who contribute positively to academic and professional communities.

Employers hiring international students through verified university channels can feel confident they are operating within legal bounds.

Understanding the pathways
CPT, OPT and STEM-OPT pathways are not visa programs in themselves. They are federally approved work authorizations attached to the F-1 student visa. Each pathway allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study while remaining fully compliant with U.S. immigration law.

Here are some stipulations for CPT:

• Used during the degree program

• Authorization comes directly from the university’s Designated School Official

• No sponsorship required

Here are stipulations for OPT:

• 12 months of post-graduation work authorization

• Does not require employer sponsorship

• Must relate to the student’s degree field

Here are stipulations for the STEM OPT extension:

• 24-month extension for students with with science, technology, engineering or math degrees

• Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify

• Requires a formal training plan (Form I-983)

Why this matters
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 78% of employers report difficulty filling roles due to a lack of qualified candidates. Meanwhile, international students graduating from U.S. institutions each year bring skills in STEM, business, health care and emerging technologies – ready to contribute under work authorizations already embedded within their visa status.

Employers often hesitate due to myths like, “Hiring international students is risky,” “I’ll need to sponsor them,” and “OPT is complicated to manage.”

None of these are true. CPT, OPT and STEM-OPT are fully authorized, prestructured programs designed to help international students work legally and safely in the U.S.

Employer next steps
1. Learn the basics. Understand how CPT and OPT work, and how to verify student work authorization.

2. Partner with universities. Most schools have international student offices eager to support employers with onboarding guidance and immigration FAQs.

3. Join a trusted hiring network. Participate in educational events or partner with platforms that vet students and provide employer compliance tools.

International students are not only authorized and eligible to work, they’re also uniquely prepared, globally minded and highly motivated to add value.

While headlines may stir confusion and fear, the facts are clear: When hiring through CPT, OPT and STEM-OPT, employers are not at risk, but rather are seizing an opportunity to solve workforce gaps in a compliant, strategic way.

If you’re still unsure how to start, connect with local universities or join an educational event such as the employer meet-and-greet that is held each semester to get your questions answered directly.

The talent is already here. It’s time to open the door.

Racheal Dami Odunewu is the founder and CEO of Purpose Connect Inc., a platform connecting international students and employers. She can be reached at dami@purposeconnect.us.