WASHINGTON, DC – FWD.us President Todd Schulte issued the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to review a lower court decision in the WashTech vs. DHS case, keeping the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program in place and rebuffing continued efforts to reverse decades of policy and legal decisions in support of the program:

“Today’s announcement from the Supreme Court is great news for tens of thousands of international students seeking to contribute their talents to the United States as well as for the future of our nation as a global innovation powerhouse.

“The OPT program is more than a lifeline for international graduates; it is a lifeline for the United States itself. By allowing U.S.-educated scientists, researchers, and engineers to gain hands-on experience in their fields of study, OPT fuels our economy, strengthens our global competitiveness, and bolsters our national security. This victory would not have been possible without the unwavering support from numerous companies, trade associations, and organizations who recognize the invaluable role that this program is playing in shaping the future of our nation.

“As this case comes to its rightful end, we urge policymakers to continue championing OPT and other pro-immigrant programs moving forward, knowing that they lead to job creation, wage growth, and sustained economic prosperity for all Americans. Today marks another step forward in our efforts to build a modern immigration system that is defined by its humanity and fairness, as well as by its alignment with our national interests and values.”