Trump Administration Increases Scrutiny on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students, Warns US Universities

The Trump administration is intensifying pressure on U.S. universities regarding their authorization of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for international students, with warnings that non-compliant institutions could lose their certification to enroll foreign students. A memo from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) on August 24, 2026, highlighted concerns over questionable CPT authorizations. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice accused George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences of discriminatory admissions practices on August 27, 2026, as part of a broader challenge to diversity policies in higher education. These actions create uncertainty for universities and international student populations.