US Pauses Green Cards at 8 Firms, Proposes a $70,000 OPT Fee

Two announcements in the same week affect the two most common routes African professionals use to build a US career: graduating from a US university and working on OPT, then being sponsored for a green card by an employer. One is already happening; the other is only a proposal. Here is what each one does.

1. Green-card (PERM) applications paused at eight employers: in effect now

On 8 October 2026, Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Vice President JD Vance announced at the White House that the Department of Labor is suspending eight employers from the PERM programme. PERM, or permanent labor certification, is the first step when an employer sponsors a worker for a green card. The companies named are:

• Microsoft and Adobe
• Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro and HCL Technologies
• Capgemini

According to TIME, Secretary Sonderling said: "We will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labor certification applications involving these companies." Officials pointed to ongoing federal investigations and alleged misuse of the H-1B and green-card systems. Vice President Vance said the suspensions would last "as long as it needs to." Microsoft disputes the allegations.

What is still unclear: as of this week, immigration law firms report that the Department of Labor has not yet published a written notice. Lawyers believe the pause relies on a rule (20 CFR 656.31) that lets the Department suspend processing during fraud investigations, initially for up to 180 days, with possible extensions. It is not yet clear how PERMs already approved, or later green-card steps handled by USCIS, will be treated.

What it does not do: it does not cancel anyone's H-1B status or right to work. Other employers are not affected.

2. A $70,000 fee for OPT: proposed, not in force

On 7 October 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (through ICE) released a proposed rule called "Optional Practical Training Fees," scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on 8 October. OPT is the work permission that lets F-1 students work in the US after (or during) their studies, and the STEM extension adds up to two more years. Under the proposal:

• $70,000 would be charged the first time a school recommends a student for OPT (pre- or post-completion).
• $30,000 would be charged for any later OPT recommendation, including the STEM OPT extension.
• The school pays, before its designated school official can enter the recommendation. DHS says schools could pass the cost on to students, to all students, or to employers.
• Changing employers would not trigger the fee by itself.
• If a final rule is adopted, it would take effect 60 days after publication and apply to students recommended for OPT on or after that date.

The public comment period is 30 days from publication; law firm Wolfsdorf Rosenthal reports a closing date of 7 November 2026. Comments go through Regulations.gov under docket ICEB-2026-0100. Higher Ed Dive reports that about 294,000 students took part in OPT in 2024–25.

How this fits with the H-1B fees

We covered the H-1B fees in September. In short: the $100,000 H-1B fee from September 2025 was struck down by a federal court in June 2026 (the government is appealing), and a separate $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions is still only a proposed rule (published 25 August 2026; comments closed 24 September). Together with this week's news, the direction is clear: the student-to-H-1B-to-green-card path is getting more expensive and less certain.

What this means for you

• Working at one of the eight companies with a green card in progress? Ask your employer's immigration counsel where your case stands, especially if you are close to the six-year H-1B limit. Lawyers mention self-petitioned options such as EB-2 National Interest Waiver or EB-1A, which do not need PERM, but they only fit strong profiles.
• Studying in the US now? Nothing changes today. Talk to your international student office about its plans and timing, since the fee would apply to recommendations made after a final rule takes effect.
• Planning to study in the US? Factor in the risk that OPT becomes much harder to access, and compare with countries that offer post-study work routes, such as the UK Graduate route or Canada's post-graduation work permit.
• Have a view? Anyone can comment on the OPT proposal before the deadline. Specific comments with real numbers carry the most weight.
• Keep options open. Remote roles and jobs in African hubs are worth a look if US plans stall: search jobs on DiasporaWorks.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the official sources above or speak to a qualified immigration adviser before acting.

Sources

• Federal Register (public inspection): Optional Practical Training Fees, DHS/ICE proposed rule, docket ICEB-2026-0100
• Wolfsdorf Rosenthal: Fifteen Things to Know About DHS's Proposed OPT Fees
• Higher Ed Dive: DHS proposes $70K fee for initial OPT participation and $30K for extensions (7 Oct 2026)
• TIME: U.S. Expands Crackdown on Green Cards, Student Exchange Visas (9 Oct 2026)
• Wolfsdorf Rosenthal: DOL Announces PERM Suspensions for Microsoft, Adobe, and Major IT Firms (8 Oct 2026)
• Ellis: Labor Department Suspends Microsoft, Adobe, and 6 IT Firms From PERM Green Card Program
• Federal Register: Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions, proposed rule (25 Aug 2026)