Found an OPT Card? Here's What to Do

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Key Takeaways

Finding an OPT/STEM OPT card requires handling sensitive information responsibly to protect the cardholder’s work authorization.
Report the card to local authorities and USCIS, ensuring secure delivery to prevent identity theft and legal issues.
Contact the educational institution for assistance, and document all actions taken to secure the card’s return.

If you’ve found someone’s OPT or STEM OPT card, you’re in a unique position to help protect sensitive personal information and ensure the rightful owner gets their critical document back. OPT, or Optional Practical Training, allows international students in the United States 🇺🇸 to work in their field of study after graduation, and the STEM OPT extension provides an additional period for students with degrees in specific fields. Misplacing this card can happen, but you can play a key role in its safe return.

Introduction: Understanding the Importance

Finding someone’s OPT or STEM OPT card is not just about picking up a lost item; it’s about handling sensitive information responsibly. These cards are crucial for international graduates living in the United States, as they provide the legal means to work professionally. The loss of such a document can cause stress and disruptions in one’s career because the card is tied to work authorization.

Step 1: Handle with Care

Immediate Action Required: When you find the card, handle it with great care. Avoid posting information or images of the document on social media or sharing details publicly. This helps protect the privacy of the cardholder and prevents potential identity theft.

Important: Do not attempt to use, re-sell, or tamper with the card. This is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences.

Step 2: Assess the Situation

Understand the Situation: Take a moment to look over the card. Check the name and any identifiable details if visible. This will help in potentially identifying the owner through official channels.

Step 3: Report to the Authorities

Contact Local Authorities: Report your find to the local police. They often maintain records of lost and found items and might have received a report from the cardholder.

Tip: Request a receipt or a reference number for the report made. This will be useful if needed later.

Step 4: Contact USCIS

Reach Out to USCIS: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for issuing these cards. Take the following steps:

Call USCIS’s Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Inform them about the found card. Be prepared to provide any details you have without revealing sensitive information.
Best Practice: Follow their instructions carefully. They may direct you to send the card to a specific location or office.

Step 5: Verification and Delivery

Follow Protocols for Delivery: Depending on USCIS instructions, you might have to mail the card to a provided address. Ensure that any packaging is secure and that you use a trackable mailing service. This helps verify delivery and maintain a record of your actions.

Caution: Only send the card to official addresses provided by USCIS to avoid any mishandling or fraud.

Step 6: University Office or DSO

Contact the Issuer Institution: If the card belongs to a student, contacting the educational institution’s office that issued the initial documentation can help. The Designated School Official (DSO) can assist in contacting their student.

Note: Visit the university’s official website for contact details if unknown.

Step 7: Check for Found Card Notices

Scan Local and Online Notices: Look through online platforms such as community forums or bulletin boards, where the cardholder might have posted about a lost card. You may also check local community boards in areas where you found the card.

Step 8: Document Your Actions

Maintain Records: Record the steps you’ve taken to return the card. This includes names of individuals you spoke with, dates, and other relevant actions.

Tip: Keeping good records will safeguard you if there are any queries later.

Step 9: General Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid

Tip: Act quickly. Returning such a document swiftly can significantly reduce stress and help with the individual’s employment status.
Pitfalls to Avoid: Refrain from handing over the card to anyone offering to deliver it on your behalf unless they are a confirmed authority, as misuse can occur.

Checklist Summary

Here’s a concise checklist to ensure you cover all necessary steps efficiently:

Secure the card immediately upon finding it.
Report the find to local authorities.
Contact USCIS and follow their advice.
Consider reaching out to the cardholder’s educational institution.
Use secure and reliable methods if mailing the card.
Keep a written record of your actions and communications.

Conclusion: After Actions Expected

After completing these steps, you may not get immediate feedback, but you can rest assured that you played your part in returning a crucial document to its rightful owner. Trust that the authorities and USCIS will handle it from there.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information on USCIS processes or to report a found document directly, visit the USCIS official website. They provide comprehensive guidance on immigration-related questions and have contact information for all necessary departments.

By following these structured steps, you demonstrate responsibility and community spirit, aiding a potentially worried individual in retrieving their OPT or STEM OPT card. Remember, acts of integrity can significantly impact someone’s life, ensuring they can continue their path as planned. As shared by VisaVerge.com, taking such civic-minded steps helps foster good relations between citizens and international visitors, reinforcing a community that benefits from diverse talents and backgrounds.

Learn Today

OPT: Optional Practical Training, a program allowing international students in the U.S. to work in their field post-graduation.
STEM OPT: An extension of OPT for graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, providing additional work authorization.
USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency responsible for issuing work authorization documents like OPT cards.
Designated School Official (DSO): A school representative responsible for managing international students’ immigration-related matters, such as coordinating with USCIS.
Identity Theft: A crime involving unauthorized use of someone’s sensitive personal information, often for fraudulent or illicit purposes.

This Article in a Nutshell

Found an OPT or STEM OPT card? Handle it responsibly; it’s crucial for an international student’s work authorization in the U.S. Report immediately to local authorities and contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. Avoid sharing publicly. Your careful actions ensure the rightful owner receives their vital document safely.
— By VisaVerge.com