Indians Among 10,000 Foreign Students Flagged By US ICE In ‘OPT Visa Misuse’ Probe

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: May 13, 2026 03:37 PM IST

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified 10,000 foreign students, including several Indians, who it says are claiming to work for highly suspicious employers by allegedly exploiting the Optional Practical Training (OPT) provision of their student visas in an alleged fraud, reported news agency PTI.

OPT enables international students in the US on F-1 visas to work for 12 months after completing their studies, with some STEM graduates eligible for an extension of up to 24 months. The programme also serves as a route for students to move to employer-sponsored H-1B visas.

OPT has ‘become a magnet for fraud’

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the OPT component of the student visa programme has “become a magnet for fraud” and has been the subject of numerous investigations by the Department of Homeland Security.

“We’ve encountered cases involving espionage, biological threats, intellectual property theft, visa and employment fraud, and even scams targeting elderly Americans, all perpetrated by individuals abusing their status as students,” Lyons said.

“Our nation will not tolerate security threats originating from the foreign student programme,” Lyons said.

Site visits reveal violations

Lyons and other officials said federal investigators carried out site visits and discovered, among other irregularities, cases where OPT beneficiaries were being “managed” by employees located in India, contrary to programme rules requiring training and supervision to be based in the United States.

From training programme to ‘guest worker pipeline’

According to Lyons, the OPT programme, introduced during the administration of former President George W Bush, was initially intended to benefit only a few thousand students who would receive practical training and then return to their home countries.

Story continues below this ad

“Instead, OPT ballooned into an uncontrolled guest worker pipeline with hundreds of thousands of foreign students working in the United States. As the programme’s size has exploded, so has the fraud,” he said.

ICE warns against misuse

Lyons described the alleged abuse of OPT as a blatant attack on the goodwill of the American people, who, he said, generously allow foreign students access to the US education system.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.

A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.

All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.

Core Team

The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:

Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.

Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.

Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram

Watch The Full Video ➤