Throughout the United States, the months of May and June usually mark the completion of the Spring semester for college and university students and the beginning of summer vacation. It is a time when many students seek employment opportunities to gain additional funding for the school year as well as experience in the real-world. Unfortunately, such opportunities can also present significant legal challenges for F-1 students who are not authorized to work in the United States.
The priorities of the agencies involved in administering and managing immigration benefits (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Department of State (DHS)) have changed and there is heightened emphasis on enforcement. An issue gaining increased attention and enforcement is unauthorized employment, where a foreign national is lawfully admitted in a nonimmigrant classification, but violates the terms of his or her status by working. One of the visa classifications we see experiencing this issue most often are individuals admitted in F-1 (student) status with a grant of optional practical training (OPT) or curricular practical training (CPT). Read full article here.
If you have questions in connection with any of the foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact Anthony F. Siliato or Scott R. Malyk.