據美國移民律師網(ilw.com)，代表科技、工程及數理專業從業者(STEM workers)的維權團體——華盛頓技術工人聯盟(WashTech)起訴了美國國土安全部，要求取消帶薪短期實習簽證(OPT)。OPT簽證允許持有F1簽證的國際學生在完成在美的全日制學業后，獲得12個月的工作許可。根據2008年4月布什總統的行政指示，部分從事科技、工程及數理專業的學生甚至可以將OPT的工作許可時間延長到17個月。OPT簽證通常被視作獲取H-1B簽證的跳板。

　　華盛頓技術工人聯盟訴稱，OPT簽證對美國本國的技術工人造成了損害，因為雇主在能雇傭本國工人的時候反而選擇雇傭OPT學生。華盛頓技術工人聯盟認為自己對此案有資格起訴。法院確認了其原告資格，這意味著案件將進入審理階段，但法院并沒有就實體問題審理時原告勝訴的可能性表態。

　　by Chris Musillo

　　The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), a collective bargaining organization that represents science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers, has sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeking to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The OPT program allows foreign nationals on an F-1 student visa to engage in twelve months of employment during and following a full-time course load in a U.S. educational institution. Certain STEM applicants can extend their OPT status an additional 17 months, pursuant to an April 2008 instituted by President George W. Bush’s administration. The OPT is often seen as a bridge to the H-1B program.

　　WashTech argues that the OPT program causes actual harm to US technology workers because US employers hire these OPT workers when the employers could be hiring these US workers. The WashTech plaintiffs have standing to make their case. The court’s finding that standing exists means that the case can go forward, although the court’s decision does not speak to the likelihood of success when the substantive case is argued.