Advocacy Toolkit on International Graduate Students and OPT

Resources available in this toolkit:

• Timeline of actions by Congress and the Administration
• Talking points and effective messaging resources
• Ability to tailor/personalize this pre-drafted letter as appropriate and work with your government relations staff to send it to your House and Senate delegation
• Video explainer of the OPT program
• A Twitter toolkit available to assist in tweeting support for international graduate students and OPT
• Opportunity to submit profiles of international graduate students making a difference to CGS’s GradImpact initiative

Please be aware of your institution’s policies regarding advocacy outreach and work with your government relations staff, communications team, and others who have a vested interest.

Talking Points for Effective Messaging

• International Graduate Students talking points
• Optional Practical Training talking points
• DHS Proposed Rule on Duration of Status talking points
• DHS and DOL Interim Final Rules Changing H-1B Visas summary and talking points

Sending a Letter to Your Senators/Representative

• List of Senators/Representatives who sit on relevant committees

Policy Briefs

• International Graduate Students: Innovators, Researchers, & Entrepreneurs 
• Optional Practical Training

CGS Additional Resources and Initiatives

• CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey

Additional Reports/Research for Making the Case

• Foreign STEM Students in the United States (CRS, 2019)
• OPT and International Students After Graduation (Niskanen Center, 2019)
• NAFSA International Student Economic Value Tool (NAFSA)
• The Economic Impact of Curbing the Optional Practical Training Program (Business Roundtable, 2018)
• The Facts About Optional Practical Training (OPT) for Foreign Students (CATO Institute, 2020)
• STEM Workers, H-1B Visas, and Productivity in US Cities (University of Chicago, 2015)