ICE Flags 10,000 Foreign Students In OPT Visa Fraud Probe; Indians Among Those Under Scanner

Last Updated:May 13, 2026, 18:37 IST

US ICE is cracking down on fraud in the OPT programme, flagging over 10000 foreign students, including many Indians, for links to fake employers and shell companies.

US immigration authorities have launched a major crackdown on alleged fraud linked to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, flagging more than 10,000 foreign students — including many Indians — over suspicious employment arrangements. (The Indian Express)

According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), investigators uncovered widespread irregularities involving “highly suspect employers", including fake offices, shell companies and questionable staffing operations. (Moneycontrol)

Speaking at a press conference, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the OPT programme had “become a magnet for fraud" and was now the focus of multiple investigations by the Department of Homeland Security. (The Indian Express)

“We’ve encountered cases involving espionage, biological threats, intellectual property theft, visa and employment fraud, and even scams targeting elderly Americans," Lyons said. (The Indian Express)

What Is The OPT Programme?

The OPT programme allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the US temporarily after graduation.

Most students can work for up to 12 months, while STEM graduates can receive an additional 24-month extension. The programme is widely used by Indian students studying engineering, technology and science in the United States. (The Financial Express)

Officials said the programme was originally designed to allow limited practical training before students returned to their home countries, but it has since expanded dramatically.

“OPT ballooned into an uncontrolled guest worker pipeline," Lyons said. (The Indian Express)

What Authorities Found

Federal investigators carried out site visits across multiple locations and reportedly discovered:

• Empty office buildings
• Locked business addresses
• Shared or fake employer locations
• Shell companies claiming to employ hundreds of students

Cases where OPT workers were allegedly supervised remotely from India, violating programme rules requiring US-based training and direction. (The Times of India)

Authorities said the review currently covers only the top 25 OPT employers under investigation, suggesting the wider probe could expand further. (The Times of India)

Indians Under Increased Scrutiny

Indian students form one of the largest groups participating in the OPT programme due to their strong presence in American universities and tech courses.

The latest probe has revived concerns within the Indian student community about visa compliance and employer legitimacy, especially after past controversies involving fake universities and visa fraud investigations in the US. (Wikipedia)

US authorities have not yet announced arrests or deportation measures linked to the latest findings, but officials indicated investigations are continuing.

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