US News
UC Berkeley suspends course-credit work authorizations for international students
The university paused applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training following compliance warnings and audits from federal immigration authorities.
The short version
- The Berkeley International Office (BIO) has suspended applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for international students.
- The suspension follows a second memo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warning of audits and potential loss of visa certification for non-compliant institutions.
- BIO will continue to process degree-requirement CPT applications normally while consulting legal counsel.
Key facts
- The Berkeley International Office announced the indefinite suspension of Course Credit CPT applications following a second ICE memo sent regarding curricular practical training compliance.[Hacker News]
- Course Credit CPT allows international students holding F-1 visas to gain off-campus work experience in exchange for academic credit.[Hacker News]
- The Student and Exchange Visitor Program has begun auditing schools for compliance and warned that non-compliant institutions risk losing their certification to enroll international students.[Hacker News]
- The university will continue to process applications for 'degree-requirement' CPT, which is required as an integral part of an established curriculum.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- It is currently unknown when or if the Berkeley International Office will resume processing Course Credit CPT applications, as the office stated it must first consult with legal counsel and establish compliant infrastructures.[Hacker News]