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Washington, D.C. – Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of cert to reconsider the D.C. Circuit’s decision affirming the validity of Optional Practical Training extension for STEM graduates, a program that expands access to hundreds of thousands of skilled workers for manufacturers and other American businesses, 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly released the following statement:

“Today’s decision ends a years-long legal battle, and the 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß Legal Center is proud to have fought to preserve the STEM OPT program, which will aid manufacturers in filling critical, skilled positions. Thanks to the 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß Legal Center’s efforts, the STEM OPT program will remain a vital talent pipeline, providing opportunities for those graduates in science, technology, engineering and math to enhance their education through hands-on work.

Background: In 2018, after an anti-immigration activist group brought a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security seeking to invalidate the entire STEM OPT program, the 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß and two other business groups moved to intervene as defendants in the case. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in the 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s favor in 2020, holding that DHS acted within its statutory authority and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act by continuing the STEM OPT program, a decision the D.C. Circuit affirmed in 2022. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court not to hear the case maintains the Circuit Court’s ruling and preserves the STEM OPT program.

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The 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit