Foreign Grad Work Program Eyed for Expansion With End to Lawsuit

The US Supreme Court’s decision to pass on a challenge to a work program for foreign graduates of US colleges and universities will likely lead to calls for an expansion of that program.

The high court’s rejection of the case leaves in place a lower court ruling affirming the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to implement Optional Practical Training for science, technology, engineering, and math fields. It also effectively maintains the status quo for F-1 student visa holders who pursue the program, often as a bridge to the H-1B specialty occupation visa.

Numerous US employers—including chemical companies, semiconductor manufacturers, and ...