The writing on the wall has been there for quite some time. I’ve been hearing lots of issues with foreign students facing issues, not just for OPT, but also difficulties getting or continuing assistantships, finding campus jobs, facing direct/indirect threats of losing their visa, etc. This is to be expected; international students are in a vulnerable position, and can be easily taken advantage of by both university officials and by industry (assuming they somehow get a job).
I’d advise any foreign aspirant to avoid the USA for further studies unless they can easily afford tuition. No need to fill university coffers with out-of-state tuition for such degrading treatment.
What's interesting from my perspective as the parent of a US teenager about to start senior year of high school: it's hard not to notice that schools are concurrently less and less friendly toward in-state students. They clearly enjoy those sweet out-of-state dollars. I have a friend who's daughter is captain of the gymnastics team, has a 4.something, all the STEM AP courses, and still got rejected by every UC school. The UC system might as well hang a shingle "Locals, keep out".
I’d advise any foreign aspirant to avoid the USA for further studies unless they can easily afford tuition. No need to fill university coffers with out-of-state tuition for such degrading treatment.