US Authorities Target OPT Employers Over Suspected Visa Fraud
US immigration authorities have increased inspections of companies employing foreign students through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, uncovering multiple cases of suspected noncompliance and possible fraud in Northern Virginia.
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has carried out several unannounced site visits to employers that sponsor F-1 visa holders under OPT. These inspections are part of a broader federal effort to ensure that businesses offering placements to international graduates are operating legally and following employment regulations.
Investigators reported finding several IT services firms that appeared to be violating programme rules. In some cases, the listed worksites were staged or non-operational, and company representatives showed limited understanding of the legal requirements for hiring OPT participants.
One inspection revealed that a suburban house was being used as the registered business address for dozens of foreign students, prompting further investigation into the employer’s activities. The OPT scheme allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the United States for up to 12 months after finishing their studies, with an additional 24-month extension available to those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
It is widely viewed as a more accessible route to professional experience in the US than the competitive H-1B visa or permanent residency pathways. However, the programme has faced criticism over concerns about fraud and its impact on the domestic labour market.
These concerns have led to tighter monitoring by federal agencies. The Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP), run by the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) within US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), conducts unannounced visits to verify that employers are meeting their obligations under OPT and other visa categories, including H-1B.
