WASHINGTON – Global tech trade association ITI filed a brief in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the case Washington Alliance of Technology Workers vs. the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in support of DHS’ STEM Optional practical training (OPT) program.

U.S. innovation and competitiveness depends on having access to the best highly-educated employees, no matter where they’re from,” said Jason Oxman, ITI President and CEO. “American colleges and universities offer individuals from across the globe a world-class education — often in critical fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — and it’s vital that the U.S. allow these graduates to remain and compete in the U.S. workforce instead of arbitrarily sending them away, especially as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. We welcome the opportunity to highlight our support of the STEM OPT program, and look forward to working with the U.S. Congress and Biden-Harris Administration on needed U.S. immigration reforms so that the country stays competitive globally.”

The STEM OPT program allows foreign-born graduates of American higher education institutions to stay and work in the U.S.; ITI previously welcomed a January 2021 decision in this case to uphold the program.

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