CLEAR ID Act

House Bill

H.R. 4843

119th Congress

CLEAR ID Act

In Committee

Introduced:Aug 1, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Mark Pocan

Representative

Democratic

WI-2

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

The CLEAR ID Act would limit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduating. The bill would reduce the maximum OPT duration from one year to four months and bar certain individuals, like those with degrees in sensitive fields or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, from participating.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

SponsorMark Pocan (D-WI)

Introduced8/1/2025

StatusReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, f

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

CLEAR ID Act

The CLEAR ID Act would limit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduating. The bill would reduce the maximum OPT duration from one year to four months and bar certain individuals, like

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The CLEAR ID Act would limit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduating. The bill would reduce the maximum OPT duration from one year to four months and bar certain individuals, like those with degrees in sensitive fields or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, from participating.

Bill Number: 4843
Sponsor: Mark Pocan (D-WI)
Introduced: 8/1/2025
Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, f
Policy Area: Immigration

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: CLEAR ID Act
Bill Number: 4843
Sponsor: Mark Pocan (D-WI)
Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, f
Introduced: 8/1/2025
Summary: The CLEAR ID Act would limit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduating. The bill would reduce the maximum OPT duration from one year to four months and bar certain individuals, like those with degrees in sensitive fields o

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The CLEAR ID Act would limit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduating. The bill would reduce the maximum OPT duration from one year to four months and bar certain individuals, like those with degrees in sensitive fields or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, from participating.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Americans First OPT Reform Act of 2023 This bill imposes limits on the Optional Practical Training Program. (The program provides an eligible F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both.) Under this bill, a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) may only participate in the program for four months with no extensions available. (Current rules generally allow an eligible individual to participate for up to one year with full-time employment; current rules also allow individuals with certain degrees to obtain a 24-month extension.) The bill also bars certain individuals from participating in the program, specifically an individual (1) with a degree or working in a sensitive field, or (2) who is employed by or otherwise affiliated with an entity owned or controlled by the Communist Party of China.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Reduces the maximum duration of the OPT program from one year to four months
Bars individuals with degrees in sensitive fields or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party from participating in OPT
Aims to prioritize employment opportunities for U.S. citizens and permanent residents over international students

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If enacted, this bill would significantly restrict the ability of international students to gain work experience in the U.S. after graduation. This could make the U.S. less attractive for international students and impact industries that rely on this talent pipeline, such as technology and research. The bill's exclusions could also disproportionately affect individuals from certain countries or backgrounds.