US universities pausing CPT program after new ICE memo: Indian students in a fix

US universities are pausing CPT programs after new memo from ICE. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary work authorization that allows F-1 international students in the US to gain off-campus work experience, such as internships or co-op programs, while completing their degree. Unlike Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is approved directly by USCIS after graduation, CPT is authorized entirely by a university's Designated School Official (DSO). For CPT to be legal under federal law, the work must be an integral part of the school's established academic curriculum and directly related to the student's major. Thousands of Indian international students enrol at CPT programs every year.On August 12, 2026, the US Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), issued a severe compliance guidance message titled "Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization".What did the new guideline say?It said that CPT is being abused as a backdoor work permit and not actually an academic requirement. he federal warning explicitly reminded DSOs that when they sign off on a student's I-20 form for CPT, they are doing so...