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In open letter to Congress, Indian American urges support for OPT, H-1B programs
Appeal highlights concerns over growing scrutiny and policy shifts affecting international student work pathways.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 24, Apr 2026
- 18:03 EDT
- 71
Ravi Raj / Instagram/ Ravi Raj
An Indian American is drawing attention after his letter urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support skill-based immigration has gone viral.
In the April 23 letter, Dallas-based Ravi Raj called on lawmakers to protect and support Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, and H-1B visa programs amid concerns around their discontinuation as debates intensify over immigration and employment policies tied to high-skilled visas and student work programs.
Also Read: New bill aims to halt H-1B visas for 3 years
“I fully understand that protecting American jobs is important, and Americans should always come first. However, this should not lead to unnecessary doubt or negative assumptions about international students and skilled workers who are legally contributing to this country,” he wrote.
The letter outlines the legal framework of the programs, stating that OPT and STEM OPT allow students on F-1 visas to gain work experience after completing their education, while the H-1B visa process operates through a regulated lottery system under U.S. law.
“These individuals are not violating rules—they are following the legal system created by the United States,” Raj said.
He also pointed to the role of foreign workers in the U.S. economy. “From Dallas, Texas to Silicon Valley, OPT and H-1B professionals have contributed significantly to American companies, innovation, and economic growth,” the letter reads, adding that such workers “pay taxes, support U.S. businesses, and strengthen America’s global leadership in technology.”
“I respectfully request that Congress support and protect OPT, STEM OPT, and H-1B programs, and avoid creating unnecessary scrutiny toward those who are helping build America’s future through lawful employment,” he added.
The letter also follows a renewed policy push against the programs. Republican Congressman Riley Moore recently urged the DHS to terminate OPT and STEM OPT, arguing they disadvantage American graduates and act as a “cheap foreign labor” pipeline.
Separately, the DHS has confirmed it is reviewing the structure and scope of OPT and its STEM extension, with possible regulatory changes under consideration related to labor market impact, fraud, and national security.
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