India, Nov. 12 -- A coalition representing nearly 600 US colleges and universities has urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw its proposed fee structure for Optional Practical Training (OPT), warning that charges of up to $100,000 for initial training and a STEM extension could make the programme inaccessible to many international students.

The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration submitted its objections in a comment letter responding to a DHS proposed rule published on October 8. Under the proposal, colleges and universities would have to pay $70,000 before recommending a student for initial OPT and another $30,000 for a subsequent recommendation, including a STEM OPT extension.

In its November...