The Trump administration has issued new guidance to US universities that could restrict certain internship work authorizations for international students. The move has prompted several universities to review their procedures for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
The guidance warns universities that failing to comply with federal regulations could put their certification to enroll foreign students at risk. The new instructions have created uncertainty for international students who depend on CPT to gain work experience during their studies.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which operates under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), issued the memo on August 24. The agency said it had observed an increase in CPT authorizations that appeared to violate existing federal regulations.
Under current rules, CPT is permitted only when the training is an integral part of an established academic curriculum. Universities are required to ensure that approved work placements meet the relevant federal requirements.
The memo specifically warned institutions about the consequences of failing to follow SEVP regulations. Universities that do not comply could potentially lose their certification to enroll international students.
The guidance has already led some major universities to pause certain CPT applications. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, Berkeley are among the institutions reviewing their processes.
A UCLA spokesperson confirmed that the university had temporarily paused some CPT authorizations. The university is assessing the latest guidance before deciding on its next steps.
UC Berkeley’s international office described the August 24 memo as more direct and restrictive than previous guidance. The university said it was reviewing the requirements with legal experts.
Berkeley has decided to continue pausing certain work authorizations for the foreseeable future. The university is also working on procedures designed to ensure compliance with federal rules.
However, not all CPT applications have been suspended at Berkeley. The university said it would continue processing CPT linked to degree requirements.
Berkeley also plans to resume applications for Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis Research CPT. These categories will continue to be handled under the applicable federal requirements.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, said the underlying regulations have not changed. The department stressed that universities and employers must comply with the existing rules.
DHS also warned that the Trump administration would take a stricter approach toward what it described as abuse of the CPT system. The warning signals increased federal scrutiny of how universities authorize practical training for international students.
The development could affect international students who use CPT as part of their academic programmes. Students often rely on approved practical training to gain experience related to their fields of study.
The latest guidance comes as the Trump administration continues to increase pressure on US universities over several issues. These include campus protests related to Israel’s war in Gaza, diversity programmes, climate initiatives and transgender policies.
The administration’s broader approach toward higher education has attracted criticism from rights advocates. They have raised concerns about free speech, academic freedom and due process.
Universities are now reviewing the latest CPT guidance while trying to balance federal compliance with the needs of international students. Any changes in university procedures could affect students planning internships or other forms of practical training.
For now, the federal government maintains that the existing CPT regulations have not changed. However, the latest enforcement guidance indicates that universities are expected to apply those rules more strictly.
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