Foreign students must make an official request for authorization: ICE issues new memo as colleges pause CPT program; American students will also have to complete training

ICE explains why CPT is not meant for only international students. As US universities started pausing CPT (Curricular Practical Training), which is a temporary work authorization for F-1 students, triggering confusion over the future of international students in the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued another memo clarifying and doubling down on the new restrictions. CPT allows F-1 students to gain off-campus work experience, internships, before graduating and hence it has to be related to the student's major. For approval of these internships, students do not have to go to immigration; the university itself can approve them. ICE said the university administration is not giving these approvals judiciously.On August 12, ICE issued a directive to all schools and universities stating that CPT has to be an integral part of the course. Many universities, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Purdue, Santa Clara paused the approvals of CPT programs.In the new memo, ICE explained some of the frequently asked questions and made it clear that all students attending the same course must do CPT as it must be mandatory. American students, too, will have to do this, otherwis...