The Trump administration has issued fresh guidance to US universities over internship work authorizations for international students.
The new guidance focuses on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), a program that allows eligible international students to gain practical work experience linked to their academic studies.
US immigration authorities warned universities that failing to follow existing federal requirements could put their certification to enroll foreign students at risk.
Universities Review CPT Authorizations
In a memo dated August 24, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which operates under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said it had identified an increase in CPT approvals that appeared inconsistent with federal regulations.
Under existing rules, CPT must be an integral part of an established academic curriculum.
The guidance has already prompted several universities to review or temporarily pause certain CPT applications.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), said it had paused some CPT authorizations while examining the latest federal guidance and deciding how to proceed.
UC Berkeley has also suspended certain work authorizations. Its international office described the new memo as more direct and restrictive than previous guidance.
The university said the pause would remain in place for the foreseeable future while officials consult legal experts and develop procedures that comply with federal requirements.
Some Academic CPT Programs Continue
The latest guidance does not mean all CPT applications have been suspended.
UC Berkeley said it would continue processing CPT applications directly connected to degree requirements.
The university also plans to resume applications for Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis Research CPT.
Federal officials stressed that the underlying regulations have not been changed.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, said universities and employers should ensure that CPT is being used according to existing rules.
The administration has warned that institutions found violating SEVP requirements could face serious consequences, including losing their ability to enroll international students.
Impact on International Students
The development could create uncertainty for international students who depend on CPT to gain practical experience during their studies.
Students whose internships are directly required or integrated into their academic programs are expected to remain eligible under the existing framework.
However, universities may introduce stricter reviews before approving work authorizations to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
The latest action is part of the Trump administration’s broader scrutiny of US universities. The administration has taken a tougher position on several campus issues, including protests, diversity programs, climate initiatives and transgender policies.
Rights groups have raised concerns about the potential impact of such measures on academic freedom, free speech and due process.
For international students, universities are now expected to carefully assess CPT applications under the existing rules as institutions adjust to the administration’s stricter enforcement approach.
