‘Show Outlook or Teams’: OPT student shares immigration officer’s questions during domestic travel to New Mexico

An OPT student has shared details of questions they and their friends faced from an immigration officer while travelling to New Mexico for a long weekend earlier this month, reported TOI.

According to the student, the group comprised OPT and STEM-OPT students, all based in Dallas. During the trip, immigration officers asked them to show their I-20, the official document issued by a US school or university to an international student admitted to an F-1 programme, along with their OPT card and other immigration documents.

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"My OPT was recently approved but I haven't received the physical card yet. The officer asked me to open the USCIS portal and show the approval. After about 30 minutes, they left," the post said.

The student said two friends in the group were working and were asked to provide additional proof of their employment.

"Two of my friends are working, and the officer asked them to show their office Outlook or Teams to prove that they are currently working. I did not carry a physical copy of my I-20. The officer told me that this was a serious issue and that it could be considered a crime. They asked us many questions about our college and other details," the student wrote.

The student added that foreign students should carry their immigration documents, including the I-20, OPT card, passport and a copy of their visa, even when travelling to a neighbouring state.

How did social media react?

Social media users said such checks are common in areas located near the US-Mexico or US-Canada borders.

"Yes this pretty common in New Mexico as it’s a place where lot of research is made. And it’s very close to the border so be prepared for any such checks," one user wrote.

"If you visit any city with 100 miles of Mexican or Canadian border, be prepared to show documents. Nothing new in this," another user said.

The post comes as the US administration is tightening scrutiny of OPT and its use as a pathway to H-1B visas. Immigration experts have also advised caution around domestic travel as ICE has increased its presence at airports.