ICE Flags 10,000 Foreign Students in OPT Fraud Probe as DHS Cites Security Threats
Updated
Updated · The Indian Express · May 17
ICE Flags 10,000 Foreign Students in OPT Fraud Probe as DHS Cites Security Threats
2 articles · Updated · The Indian Express · May 17
About 10,000 foreign students have been identified by ICE as suspected of abusing the OPT work program by falsely claiming jobs with highly suspect employers.
ICE said site visits found some OPT participants were being managed by employees in India, violating the rule that training and supervision must come from within the United States.
Todd Lyons, ICE's acting director, said the investigations uncovered cases tied to espionage, biological threats, intellectual property theft, visa and employment fraud, and scams targeting elderly Americans.
The scrutiny is likely to intensify for Indian students—one of the largest groups in OPT—as the Trump administration broadens its review of the student visa system.
OPT allows up to 12 months of work, extendable by 24 months in some cases, and has grown from a program for a few thousand students into a major pathway toward H-1B visas.
Is the U.S. sacrificing its global talent pipeline by framing student visa fraud as a national security threat?
Beyond fraud, could new wage-based H-1B rules truly end the 'guest worker pipeline' from U.S. universities?
With the ICE director resigning, will the massive crackdown on student visa fraud lose its momentum?
OPT Under Fire: 2026 ICE Probe Uncovers Massive Fraud Among 295,000 International Students
Overview
In May 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a major crackdown on fraud in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, responding to its dramatic expansion and rising participation, especially among Indian students. The probe uncovered widespread abuse, with shell companies creating fake employment for foreign workers and using residential addresses as business locations. ICE officials described the situation as an uncontrolled guest worker pipeline and a blatant attack on public trust. This intensified enforcement has led to stricter oversight, increased site visits, and greater compliance demands for both students and employers, reshaping the OPT landscape.