As an update to our earlier blogs on this issue, we confirm that the U.S. District Court (D.C.) has granted the Department of Homeland Security’s motion and ordered that its proposed new rule regarding the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) program be further postponed to May 10, 2016.
The proposed new rule is designed to resolve present uncertainty with respect to the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, but Homeland Security sought an extension in order to complete the rulemaking, train agency personnel, and properly advise the regulated community with respect to the rule, including foreign students, U.S. schools, and U.S. employers.
The court’s decision was based on “extraordinary circumstances” due to the “unexpected and unprecedented” 50,500 public comments received by Homeland Security in response to the proposed rule change.
Hopefully the future of OPT program benefits will be settled soon!
Please refer to our January 14, 2016 and November 5, 2015 blogs for more information.