The Trump administration has warned US universities that they could lose federal certification to enroll international students if they fail to comply with tighter rules governing certain internship and work authorizations.
A federal memo issued on August 24 said the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, had seen an increase in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations that appeared to breach existing requirements.
CPT allows eligible international students to gain practical work experience connected to their academic programmes. Federal regulations require the training to be an integral part of an established curriculum.
The memo warned universities that failing to follow SEVP rules could result in the loss of their certification to enroll foreign students.
The guidance has already prompted some universities to temporarily halt certain CPT applications while they assess the new requirements.
The University of California, Los Angeles said it had paused selected CPT authorizations while reviewing the federal guidance and determining how to proceed.
The University of California, Berkeley also announced a wider pause. Its international office described the August 24 memo as more direct and restrictive than earlier federal guidance issued in August.
Berkeley said it would continue processing CPT applications tied to degree requirements. It also said it would resume processing CPT applications related to doctoral dissertation and master’s thesis research.
The university said it would consult legal experts and develop procedures designed to comply with the latest federal requirements.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said the underlying regulations had not changed. However, the department warned universities and employers that the administration would take action against what it described as misuse of the CPT system.
The developments come as President Donald Trump has increased scrutiny of American universities on several fronts. His administration has launched investigations and threatened funding over issues including campus protests, diversity programmes, climate initiatives and transgender policies.
Civil rights and academic groups have raised concerns about free speech, academic freedom and due process during the administration’s broader actions against higher education institutions.
The administration has also intensified its challenge to diversity policies at universities.
On Thursday, the Justice Department accused George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences of using admissions practices that favoured Black and Hispanic applicants. The university rejected the findings, saying its admissions policies complied with the law and were not discriminatory.
The Justice Department has made similar allegations against other educational institutions and said it is seeking settlements before pursuing litigation.
The administration has also revoked visas belonging to some international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Officials have linked some demonstrations to antisemitism and extremism, while protesters, including Jewish organisations, have argued that criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights should not be treated as antisemitic or extremist activity.
The latest CPT guidance adds another layer of uncertainty for universities and international students as institutions review how their work authorization procedures must operate under the Trump administration.
