
TL;DR
UC Berkeley has suspended international students' applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training (CPT) due to new federal guidelines, impacting their ability to gain work experience.
✦ Why It Matters
International students should explore alternative work opportunities or internships that comply with current regulations.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
UC Berkeley's International Office announced an indefinite suspension of applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training (CPT), a work authorization allowing international students to gain practical experience while earning academic credit. This action is in response to a recent memo from U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which emphasizes stricter monitoring of CPT authorizations to ensure compliance with federal regulations. The office indicated that it is unlikely to process these applications soon, urging students to plan accordingly.
While the university hopes to resume processing applications shortly, it is currently consulting legal counsel regarding the implications of ICE's warning. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has begun auditing institutions to ensure adherence to these regulations, with noncompliance potentially jeopardizing a school's ability to enroll international students.
Despite the suspension, UC Berkeley will continue processing CPT applications that are integral to degree requirements.
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