The Department of Homeland Security has warned universities nationwide about possible violations of Curricular Practical Training, a work program that allows international students to gain paid or unpaid job experience as part of their degree programs. The move has sent concern through campuses in Los Angeles and across the country.
In late August, DHS’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program said it had seen a rise in CPT authorizations that appeared to violate federal rules, which allow CPT only when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum. A DHS spokesperson told LAist that the rules themselves had not changed, but said schools and employers should be on alert and that abuse of the system would not be tolerated under the Trump administration.
In response, several universities moved to pause or review CPT requests. USC suspended review of all CPT applications submitted after Aug. 23, while UCLA’s Dashew Center said it had halted certain CPT approvals while it reviews the latest federal guidance and determines next steps. UC Berkeley took similar action.
For many international students, CPT is a key path to gaining U.S. work experience while enrolled in school. The federal warning has created uncertainty for students at major California campuses as universities assess how to comply with the guidance.
