Democrats' midterm win may test Trump's $70,000 OPT fee plan

Democrats have taken both chambers of Congress, giving them room to challenge the Trump administration's proposed $70,000 fee for a student's first OPT participation and $30,000 for later ones. The rule, published October 8, is not in force; public comments close November 9. Indian students, 363,019 in the US in 2024-25, face continued uncertainty.