US – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – The new CPT visa rule is causing panic among international students studying in the United States. The Trump administration has warned universities that they must follow stricter guidelines when approving Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, a program that lets foreign students work while completing their degree.
Federal officials say some schools have been misusing the system. A memo dated August 24 claims that training approvals have been handed out without proper links to actual coursework. This, they say, breaks long-standing immigration rules.
The warning did not stop there. Officials said any school that fails to follow the rules could lose its ability to enroll international students altogether. That is a serious threat for universities that depend heavily on tuition from overseas students.
Two major schools have already reacted. The University of California, Los Angeles has paused certain CPT approvals while it studies the new guidance. University of California, Berkeley called the memo more direct and more restrictive than an earlier notice sent in mid-August.
Berkeley says it will keep processing CPT tied directly to degree requirements. This includes research work needed for doctoral and master’s theses. However, other applications remain on hold until the school works out a new process with legal experts.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, said nothing about the actual rules has changed. Still, it issued a clear warning to schools and employers, saying abuse of the system will not be tolerated under the current administration.
This is not the first time universities have faced pressure from federal authorities. Schools across the country have already dealt with funding threats and investigations tied to campus protests, diversity programs, and other politically sensitive topics.
In a separate but related move, the Justice Department claimed that George Washington University’s medical school favored Black and Hispanic applicants during admissions. The university strongly denied the claim, saying its policies follow the law.
Officials say they plan to pursue similar cases against other universities. If schools refuse to settle, the government has said it will take them to court.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups continue to raise concerns about fairness and due process. Many worry that international students are being caught in the middle of a larger political battle over immigration and education policy.
For now, students hoping to gain real-world work experience through CPT face growing uncertainty. Universities are being forced to slow down approvals just to avoid risking their federal certification.
As more schools review their CPT programs, students may see delays or added paperwork before receiving approval. Anyone currently applying is encouraged to stay in close contact with their school’s international student office for updates.
This story is still developing, and further guidance from federal authorities is expected in the coming weeks.
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