Valerie Foushee (D-NC)
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program.
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program. It updates the definition of a course of study for certain nonimmigrants to include practical training and employment authorization. Under this proposal, training can last up to 24 months if it relates to the individual's field of study. For those in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields, the period can extend up to 48 months. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to take steps to include nursing as a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field for these purposes.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
The bill codifies and extends practical training and employment opportunities for students in various academic fields.
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill directly benefits students and recent graduates by extending their ability to work in their fields of study.
- Scored +6
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill expands the practical training and work authorization duration for nonimmigrant students.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Extended Training for STEM Students: Nonimmigrants pursuing a full course of study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics may receive practical training and employment authorization for up to 48 months, provided the work relates to their field of study. (Section 1(b)(B))
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General Practical Training: Nonimmigrants may include practical training and employment authorization in their full course of study for a period of up to 24 months if the employment is related to their field of study. (Section 1(b)(A))
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Nursing Field Reclassification: The Secretary of Homeland Security is tasked with making nursing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field, which would allow those in nursing to potentially access the extended 48-month training period. (Section 1(c))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Regulatory Uncertainty: The Secretary of Homeland Security is granted the authority to establish the specific terms and conditions required for the practical training and employment authorization periods. (Section 1(b)(C))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill codifies and extends practical training and employment opportunities for students in various academic fields. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill expands the practical training and work authorization duration for nonimmigrant students. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill directly benefits students and recent graduates by extending their ability to work in their fields of study. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Providing extended work authorization can help students better manage the costs associated with higher education.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill expands practical training and employment authorization for students in various fields, including STEM and nursing.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill provides more stable and extended legal work authorization for international students through the codified OPT program.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — Extended work authorization allows students to earn income related to their field of study during and after their studies.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By reclassifying nursing as a STEM field, the bill facilitates longer training periods for nursing students which can help address labor shortages.
- 5/7/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House