Trump administration moves to tighten internship work rules for international students

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has warned US universities against approving certain internship work authorisations for international students that do not meet federal requirements, according to a memo issued to higher education institutions.

The August 24 directive from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said officials had identified an increase in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approvals that appeared inconsistent with regulations. Under the rules, CPT is permitted only when practical training forms an integral part of an established academic curriculum.

The memo cautioned that universities failing to comply with SEVP requirements could lose their certification to enrol international students.

The directive has already prompted some institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley, to suspend or pause certain applications for work authorisation involving international students.

The move comes as the Trump administration has stepped up scrutiny of US colleges and universities during the president’s second term, including through investigations targeting higher education institutions.

“UCLA has paused certain Curricular Practical Training authorizations while it reviews recent federal guidance and determines next steps,” a UCLA spokesperson said.

UC Berkeley’s international office said the August 24 memo was “more narrow in focus, more direct, and includes content that is more restrictive in nature.” The federal government had also issued an earlier memo in mid-August.

The UC Berkeley international office said it is extending the pause for certain work authorizations for international students for “the foreseeable future.” It said it will continue processing “degree-requirement” CPT as normal and would resume processing “Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis Research CPT.”

The office said it would consult with legal experts to develop new processes that align with new federal requirements.

“Nothing about these regulations has changed,” the Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent, said in a statement. “However, schools and employers should consider themselves on notice: under President Trump, abuse of this generous system will no longer be tolerated.”

Trump has targeted universities with probes and funding threats over issues like pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel’s assault on Gaza, diversity initiatives, climate programs and transgender policies.

Rights advocates have raised free speech, academic freedom and due process concerns.

Separately, the U.S. Justice Department alleged on Thursday admissions practices at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services favored Black and Hispanic applicants, citing findings of a probe as the Trump administration continued its diversity crackdown.

“We are disappointed by the DOJ’s conclusions, which we believe are incorrect,” the university said, saying the admissions policies were in compliance with law and not discriminatory.

The Justice Department has alleged similar bias at other schools, saying the department aims for settlement talks. If those efforts fail, the department will file suit, it said.

Trump’s administration has also revoked visas of student protesters over pro-Palestinian protests that it casts as antisemitic and sympathetic to extremists.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say opposition to Israel’s assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories is not antisemitic and advocacy for Palestinian rights is not the same as supporting extremism.