The administration of US President Donald Trump has issued a directive letter aimed at restricting the issuance of certain types of work permits for foreign students at universities. According to Reuters, the federal government warned that colleges and universities failing to comply with these rules could lose their certification to enroll international students.
In a federal directive dated August 24, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said it has observed a growing number of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) permits that appear to violate regulatory requirements, which allow practical training only as an integral part of the curriculum.
"Non-compliance with SEVP regulations may result in the revocation of an institution's certification to enroll foreign students," the letter said. Following this warning, several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), temporarily suspended processing of some work authorization applications for international students.
"UCLA has temporarily paused the issuance of certain CPT permits to review the latest federal directives and determine next steps," a UCLA spokesperson said. UC Berkeley's international office described the August 24 directive as "narrower in scope, more direct, and more restrictive." The federal government had issued a similar notice in mid-August.
UC Berkeley's international office said it was highly unlikely that some work permit applications would be reviewed in the "near future," urging international students to plan accordingly. At the same time, the university said it would continue to process CPT permits that are "program requirements" and would resume reviewing "research CPTs for doctoral dissertations and master's theses." The office said it would consult with lawyers to develop procedures compliant with the new federal requirements.
"Nothing has changed in these rules," said a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security, ICE's parent agency. "But universities and employers should take note of the warning: under President Trump, abuse of such a generous system will no longer be tolerated."
Trump has targeted universities with threats of investigations and funding cuts over pro-Palestinian protests against Israeli attacks on Gaza, diversity initiatives, climate programs, and other issues. Civil rights advocates have expressed concerns over violations of free speech, academic freedom, and due process.
Additionally, the Trump administration is revoking visas for students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, which it deems sympathetic to antisemitism and extremists. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say that opposing Israel's assault on Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories is not antisemitic, and that defending Palestinian rights is not the same as supporting extremism.
Source: www.gazeta.uz