Daniel Costa, an immigration policy analyst at the Economic Policy Institute, said he isn’t overly concerned that the number of eligible OPT courses of study was increased.

He said his primary concern is “the fact that none of [the eligible fields] were determined based on demonstrated labor market shortages, and that there are no wage protections for OPT workers, which allows employers to undercut wages paid to US workers.”

“In a few of these fields, there may be shortages, but in many others, it’s unlikely that we’re anywhere near full employment,” said Costa. “But the government hasn’t taken the time to check.”