Bipartisan legislation, Keep Innovators in America Act, introduced to codify Optional Practical Training and allow F-1 students with pending green card applications to maintain F-1 status

On March 19, 2026, a bipartisan group of legislators introduced the Keep Innovators in America Act, which would codify currently existing DHS regulations that allow international students up to one year of employment authorization under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Under the current regulations, F-1 students are eligible for one year of OPT in connection to their recent completion of their higher education program; however, DHS may withdraw those regulations and require that F-1 students change status or leave the US at the end of their programs. Congress’s codification of the OPT program would protect the program from future withdrawal. 

This bill has not yet picked up significant support in the House of Representatives or Senate. We will continue to provide updates on this legislation as they come. 

Read NAFSA: Association of International Educator’s press release and summary of the bill here.