U.S. House introduces bipartisan bill to codify Optional Practical Training (OPT) program

19 March 2026

A new bipartisan bill, "Keep Innovators in America Act", has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to formally codify the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) program into law.  Currently, OPT exists through regulation rather than statute, making it vulnerable to administrative changes. Codifying OPT through legislation would provide greater long-term stability for the program. 

The bill is sponsored by Representatives Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and endorsed by organizations such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

While introduction of the bill is an encouraging first step, the bill must still be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and then signed by the President before becoming law. 

The full text of the bill can be viewed here.