Reevaluating Work Restrictions for International Students
Current student visa policies prohibit international students from working outside of limited school-sponsored jobs. While they are allowed to work on campus or in school-approved positions, these opportunities are scarce and often fail to provide sufficient income. Any work beyond these restrictions puts them at risk of violating their visa status.
This policy is deeply flawed. Many of these students come to the U.S. to improve their lives and, in doing so, contribute to our communities. They are typically hardworking and determined individuals, yet the vast majority do not come from wealthy backgrounds. A single financial setback can become a major burden, leaving them with few options to support themselves.
Through my interactions with international students, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges they face. They want to abide by the law, but the inability to work even a few extra hours per week makes financial stability unnecessarily difficult. A more flexible approach would not only help them succeed but also align with the American values of self-reliance and initiative.
The current policy stifles the entrepreneurial spirit that defines this country. Instead of encouraging these students to be resourceful and financially independent, we are holding them back. By allowing them to take on small, legal jobs, we would be fostering resilience, ambition, and a stronger workforce—qualities that benefit both the students and the nation as a whole. It’s time to reconsider these outdated restrictions and create a system that supports, rather than hinders, those striving to build a better future.