The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) in a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security said as a result of the gap, Indian students were missing out on the opportunity to contribute to the US industry
Since there was a huge gap between graduating students and available H1B, an Indian diaspora body on October 20 has asked the Biden Administration to make changes in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme for foreign students, reported PTI.
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) in a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security said as a result of the gap, Indian students were missing out on the opportunity to contribute to the US industry.
“By doing so, we not only retain the talent that fuels our innovation but also sustain the economic benefits that these students bring to our nation.”
— Khanderao Kand, Chief of Policy and Strategy, FIIDS
The several changes suggested by FIIDS include an extension of the STEM OPT period from 24 months to 48 months for eligible students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields, an extension of the period for applying for OPT post-graduation from 60 days to 180 days and providing STEM degree holders with six times the chances of being selected in the H1B visa lottery compared to non-STEM degree holders. “By doing so, we not only retain the talent that fuels our innovation but also sustain the economic benefits that these students bring to our nation,” Khanderao Kand, chief of Policy and Strategy, FIIDS, said in the letter.
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