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Please find the comment below in support of OPT STEM Extension along with some statistics. I read that comments with statistics would matter a lot than simply saying "I support the rule". We have a week to post our comments and bring a difference ourselves. Please post this if you haven't yet and also pass this to your family and friends.
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11 November 2015
To,
Ms. Katherine Westerlund
Policy Chief (Acting), Student and Exchange Visitor Program
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington D.C.
Dear Ms. Westerlund,
Reg: Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees;Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students with Pending H-1B Petitions and Change of Status Requests
Docket ID: ICEB-2015-0002
I would like to voice my comments regarding the recent proposal by USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to amend the regulations towards OPT STEM Extension for international students on F-1 visa in its proposed rule “Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees; Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students with Pending H-1B Petitions and Change of Status Requests” and issued by “Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau”.
As an International student who graduated from a STEM degree (<your degree>), I am one among many students to get affected by the decision to vacate OPT STEM Extension in Washington Alliance of Technology Workers vs. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I came to the US to pursue higher studies by spending tens of thousands of dollars and to gain invaluable professional experience in my field of study.
Beside the money factor, every student plans for at least a year or two ahead preparing for GMAT/GRE or TOEFL/IELTS exams, getting our letter of recommendations, writing a statement of purpose and getting the transcripts attested. Even if we get an admission into a university, it is not sure that we would be able to study in the US until we get our student visa. While the US government is granting citizenship to illegal immigrants and people who seek asylum, I do not understand why anyone would send students like me, who are here legally and spending thousands of dollars, back to our country when we can contribute to development of a firm and consequently, to the economic development of the US.
While many people are against implementing the STEM OPT Extension and Cap-Gap law saying it has cost the US government US$ 4billion and thousands of American jobs, I’d like to present some statistics further to a research conducted by Institute of International Education. Following are some key points that I found about international students in the US:
- 886,052 international students studied in the US in 2013/2014 (966,333 in July 2014), which is 8% over the previous year
- 42% pursue Undergraduate degree, 37% in graduate program, 12% in OPT and 9% in non-degree program
- About 50% of students pursue Business and Management, Engineering or Math and Computer Science programs
- 65% of the students fund their education through personal and family funds or loans
- In 2013/2014, international students contributed US$ 27biliion to the US economy (Source: US Dept. of Commerce), which is more than 6 times what people are claiming we are costing to the Social Security
- About 50% of international students are from China, India and South Korea
<change to your needs> On a personal note, while I was studying here I was actively involved in various research projects with professors and also worked as a research assistant at Economics Research department contributing to various micro and macroeconomic research studies. Such opportunities are very unlikely to happen in India but the US and its education system made it happen for me. I am sure there are plenty of students who are interested to work with professors and engage in research projects while studying and gain valuable cognizance.
I cannot stress more why the government should extend the OPT STEM Extension to 24 months from 17 months. The extra 7 months would give us an opportunity to have another attempt in applying for H1-B visa and the Cap-Gap relief would let us transition smoothly from F-1 to H1-B, provided we get through the lottery system. The total duration of 3 years to STEM students would be ideal enough to learn and contribute to research and development to the firm and the US.
As for the mentoring plan, I think it would make sense for students who apply for the initial OPT. Students like us who are applying OPT STEM extension having spent 12 months already; the mentoring plan might not make more sense. And also it adds more administrative burden to the immediate supervisor of a student and it may potentially deter employment of F-1 STEM students. I, sincerely, request to reconsider this clause in the proposed agreement.
I’d like to thank DHS and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in working diligently and proposing this rule in a short time and having it open for public comments. Again I’d like to thank for the opportunity to comment on this proposed rule and appreciate your work in keeping America safe and providing educational and training opportunities to F-1 students.
I’d like to conclude by offering my full support to DHS, USCIS and OMB in passing this proposal by the court given deadline on 12th February 2016 and thereby protecting thousands of student’s dreams.
Thank you,
<Insert your name>
Please find the comment below in support of OPT STEM Extension along with some statistics. I read that comments with statistics would matter a lot than simply saying "I support the rule". We have a week to post our comments and bring a difference ourselves. Please post this if you haven't yet and also pass this to your family and friends.
================================================== ================================================== ===================================
11 November 2015
To,
Ms. Katherine Westerlund
Policy Chief (Acting), Student and Exchange Visitor Program
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington D.C.
Dear Ms. Westerlund,
Reg: Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees;Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students with Pending H-1B Petitions and Change of Status Requests
Docket ID: ICEB-2015-0002
I would like to voice my comments regarding the recent proposal by USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to amend the regulations towards OPT STEM Extension for international students on F-1 visa in its proposed rule “Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees; Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students with Pending H-1B Petitions and Change of Status Requests” and issued by “Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau”.
As an International student who graduated from a STEM degree (<your degree>), I am one among many students to get affected by the decision to vacate OPT STEM Extension in Washington Alliance of Technology Workers vs. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I came to the US to pursue higher studies by spending tens of thousands of dollars and to gain invaluable professional experience in my field of study.
Beside the money factor, every student plans for at least a year or two ahead preparing for GMAT/GRE or TOEFL/IELTS exams, getting our letter of recommendations, writing a statement of purpose and getting the transcripts attested. Even if we get an admission into a university, it is not sure that we would be able to study in the US until we get our student visa. While the US government is granting citizenship to illegal immigrants and people who seek asylum, I do not understand why anyone would send students like me, who are here legally and spending thousands of dollars, back to our country when we can contribute to development of a firm and consequently, to the economic development of the US.
While many people are against implementing the STEM OPT Extension and Cap-Gap law saying it has cost the US government US$ 4billion and thousands of American jobs, I’d like to present some statistics further to a research conducted by Institute of International Education. Following are some key points that I found about international students in the US:
- 886,052 international students studied in the US in 2013/2014 (966,333 in July 2014), which is 8% over the previous year
- 42% pursue Undergraduate degree, 37% in graduate program, 12% in OPT and 9% in non-degree program
- About 50% of students pursue Business and Management, Engineering or Math and Computer Science programs
- 65% of the students fund their education through personal and family funds or loans
- In 2013/2014, international students contributed US$ 27biliion to the US economy (Source: US Dept. of Commerce), which is more than 6 times what people are claiming we are costing to the Social Security
- About 50% of international students are from China, India and South Korea
<change to your needs> On a personal note, while I was studying here I was actively involved in various research projects with professors and also worked as a research assistant at Economics Research department contributing to various micro and macroeconomic research studies. Such opportunities are very unlikely to happen in India but the US and its education system made it happen for me. I am sure there are plenty of students who are interested to work with professors and engage in research projects while studying and gain valuable cognizance.
I cannot stress more why the government should extend the OPT STEM Extension to 24 months from 17 months. The extra 7 months would give us an opportunity to have another attempt in applying for H1-B visa and the Cap-Gap relief would let us transition smoothly from F-1 to H1-B, provided we get through the lottery system. The total duration of 3 years to STEM students would be ideal enough to learn and contribute to research and development to the firm and the US.
As for the mentoring plan, I think it would make sense for students who apply for the initial OPT. Students like us who are applying OPT STEM extension having spent 12 months already; the mentoring plan might not make more sense. And also it adds more administrative burden to the immediate supervisor of a student and it may potentially deter employment of F-1 STEM students. I, sincerely, request to reconsider this clause in the proposed agreement.
I’d like to thank DHS and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in working diligently and proposing this rule in a short time and having it open for public comments. Again I’d like to thank for the opportunity to comment on this proposed rule and appreciate your work in keeping America safe and providing educational and training opportunities to F-1 students.
I’d like to conclude by offering my full support to DHS, USCIS and OMB in passing this proposal by the court given deadline on 12th February 2016 and thereby protecting thousands of student’s dreams.
Thank you,
<Insert your name>
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