US Administration Issues Memo to Restrict International Student Internships

The United States administration has issued a federal memo targeting universities, seeking to restrict the issuance of certain internship work authorizations for international students. The federal government warned that colleges failing to comply with the regulations could lose their certification to enroll foreign students.

Dated August 24, the federal memo was issued by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The agency stated it had observed an increase in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations that appeared to violate regulatory requirements. Under current rules, CPT is permitted only when the training forms an integral part of an established curriculum.

The warning has prompted immediate operational changes at several major academic institutions. Universities including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, Berkeley, have paused certain applications for international student work authorizations.

A UCLA spokesperson stated that the university has paused certain CPT authorizations while it reviews the recent federal guidance and determines its next steps. Meanwhile, UC Berkeley's international office described the August 24 memo as more narrow in focus, more direct, and more restrictive in nature compared to an earlier memo issued in mid-August.

UC Berkeley indicated that it is unlikely to process certain work authorization applications in the near future and advised affected international students to plan accordingly. However, the institution noted it will continue processing degree-requirement CPT normally and will resume processing Doctoral Dissertation and Master's Thesis Research CPT after consulting legal experts to align with the new federal requirements.

The Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of ICE, defended the directive in a statement, asserting that the underlying regulations have not changed. The agency added that schools and employers are on notice that abuse of the system will no longer be tolerated under the Trump administration.

In a separate development, the U.S. Justice Department alleged that admissions practices at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services favored Black and Hispanic applicants, following the findings of a probe tied to the administration's ongoing diversity crackdown. The university expressed disappointment with the conclusions, maintaining that its admissions policies comply with the law and are not discriminatory.

The administration's broader enforcement actions also include revoking visas of student protesters involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which federal officials have characterized as antisemitic and sympathetic to extremists. Conversely, protesters and various groups contend that opposition to Israel's military actions and advocacy for Palestinian rights do not equate to supporting extremism or antisemitism.

"Regulatory changes and policy shifts in key international markets invariably impact global talent mobility, higher education, and workforce planning. Businesses and educational institutions must closely monitor compliance requirements and adapt their operational frameworks proactively to navigate such transitions smoothly and minimize disruptions for international talent." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes