U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a nationwide enforcement initiative on May 12, 2026, targeting fraud within the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 international students. Over 10,000 foreign students have been identified as claiming employment with suspicious employers, leading to increased scrutiny and site visits across multiple states.
Key Details:
- More than 10,000 foreign students flagged for potential fraud.
- Site visits conducted in Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida.
- Notable concentration of enforcement activities in North Texas, with 18 work sites visited in one week.
- Identified fraud patterns include empty buildings as work sites and shell companies evading taxes.
The crackdown on OPT fraud may lead to collateral consequences for legitimate employers, including more frequent site visits and increased scrutiny on H-1B and employment-based green card petitions. Compliance with documentation and E-Verify enrollment is now more essential than ever for affected employers.
Need help with your immigration case? Visit QuickFiling.us for professional immigration services.