ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program has issued two broadcast messages signalling significantly heightened scrutiny of Curricular Practical Training authorisations at US schools.
The guidance, released in August 2026, targets designated school officials and SEVP-certified institutions, clarifying how authorities assess whether practical training qualifies as integral to a student’s curriculum.
Broadcast Message 2608-01, issued on 12 August 2026, warned DSOs of increased programme oversight following a rise in CPT authorisations that do not meet federal regulatory requirements.
SEVP specifically highlighted cases where training was not considered an integral part of an established curriculum or directly related to a student’s major area of study.
A second message, Broadcast Message 2608-02, followed on 24 August 2026, providing additional question-and-answer guidance on how authorities evaluate whether practical training genuinely integrates into a course of study.
The follow-up guidance also confirmed that formal DSO authorisation and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record updates are required before any student begins CPT.
SEVP further revealed that some institutions had failed to require all students enrolled in the same curriculum to participate in practical training, despite clear regulatory expectations demanding such participation where CPT is authorised.
The guidance distinguishes CPT from Optional Practical Training, reinforcing that CPT is only permitted where the practical training is a required and integral component of the curriculum, not an elective supplement.
Both broadcast messages represent agency-level guidance rather than new regulations, meaning existing CPT rules remain unchanged even as enforcement attention sharpens considerably.
SEVP acknowledged the boundary between governmental and institutional authority, stating: “While SEVP recognizes that the school, not the U.S. government, defines what is and is not required to complete a degree, SEVP is also committed to identifying and investigating schools that attempt to undermine or purposely bypass federal regulations or oversight.”
Schools that fail to comply with SEVP regulations face the serious consequence of losing their certification to enrol international students entirely.
The messages are directed at DSOs and certified institutions rather than employers, meaning businesses hiring CPT students are not directly subject to this new layer of scrutiny.
Immigration practitioners and university compliance officers are now expected to review their CPT authorisation procedures carefully to ensure documentation can withstand closer federal examination.