With dreams of graduating and transitioning into American employment life, international students could see those dreams extinguished, as President Trump proposes a bill that would restrict a program that lets more than 200,000 international students stay in the U.S after they graduate.

As millions of Americans continue to lose their jobs during Covid-19, the Trump administration is contemplating suspending a program for foreign students, further stifling their opportunities in the country. In an effort to assure Americans their jobs would be protected from international students, the Trump administration announced its latest ploy in restricting legal immigration during the pandemic, leading to a backlash from university and business communities. In 2019, a recruiter’s survey reported that 21% of employers in the country have specific plans to hire international candidates who require legal documents. The program known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), is an incentive for international students to study in the U.S, providing a transition between studies and employment.  International students have become increasingly influential in the country’s economy, contributing nearly $41 billion to the economy in the 2018-2019 academic year. Despite students’ job prospects dwindling during the pandemic, businesses have spoken out at the decision, likening it to the President’s 2017 Muslim ban.  Whether or not the ban of the OPT comes to fruition remains to be seen, but one thing is clear; gaining sponsorships from U.S companies has become even more difficult for international students.