Trump administration considers $100,000 fee for foreign graduates working in U.S.

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring a significant new policy that would impose a $100,000 fee on foreign students graduating from U.S. universities who wish to work in the country. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that this potential fee would be linked to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to gain work experience in the U.S. for one to three years after graduation.

This proposed measure is seen as a significant step in the Trump administration's broader efforts to restrict all forms of legal immigration. If implemented, the fee could generate substantial revenue for the U.S. government. Based on the approximately 419,000 foreign nationals who found employment through the OPT program in 2024, the total revenue could reach an estimated $41.9 billion.

The potential financial burden could have far-reaching consequences for key sectors of the U.S. economy. American universities, which often rely on international student enrollment as a stable source of income, could face challenges in attracting top global talent. Furthermore, major companies in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street, which frequently hire foreign graduates, might experience significant disruptions to their recruitment strategies and workforce diversity.

This proposal comes after a previous attempt by the Trump administration to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for foreign professionals was blocked by courts. The current consideration of a fee for OPT participants suggests an alternative strategy to achieve similar immigration restriction goals. While the specifics of who would bear the cost, the student or the employer, remain unclear, and the White House has not officially confirmed the plan, the Department of Homeland Security stated that it is "always discussing all of the tools at our disposal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system."

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We are always discussing all of the tools at our disposal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system.