This post was updated Aug. 25 at 12:49 p.m.

UCLA paused some international students’ work authorizations after it received an Aug. 12 memo from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a Dashew Center spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. 

Universities suspected of using curricular practical training programs to create employment for international students instead of reasons required for academic studies could lose their certification to enroll exchange and international students, the memo stated. CPT authorizations allow eligible students on F-1 visas to receive temporary authorization to work in a field related to their degree while attending school. 

ICE sent the memo to all universities certified to have international and exchange students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, an agency under ICE that tracks international students’ records. SEVP saw a rise in CPT authorizations that “do not meet regulatory requirements,” according to the memo. 

UCLA plans to review the federal changes and is awaiting guidance from the UC, the Dashew Center spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“UCLA is communicating directly with students who have affected CPT applications and remains committed to supporting our international students as we navigate these changes,” the spokesperson said.

The UC Office of the President did not respond immediately to a request for comment on its response to the ICE memo.

Undergraduate Students Association Council President Jayha Buhs Jackson said the council is prepared to advocate for international students to UCLA administrators. International students can reach out to USAC for support, she added. 

“This is going to be at the top of the agenda to discuss,” Buhs Jackson said. “The main ask would be for them to stop complying with the federal administration and support students.” 

International students have faced increased scrutiny under the Trump administration. The federal government revoked the visas of at least 19 UCLA students and alumni in April 2025 and restored their visas later that month while ICE worked to develop a “framework for status record termination.” 

[Related: Trump administration announces restoration of international students’ visas]

The Trump administration also announced changes to international student visas in July, including a four-year limit on the length of nonimmigrant and exchange student visas and a reduced departure grace period.

International students should be enrolled for the sole purpose of attending school full time, the memo stated. 

“SEVP is also committed to identifying and investigating schools that attempt to undermine or purposely bypass federal regulations or oversight,” ICE wrote in the memo.

Contributing reports by Alexis Muchnik, national news and higher education editor.