The Trump administration has proposed a rule to limit the duration of stay for international students in the U.S. to four years, aiming to address visa misuse and enhance oversight.
The Trump administration has announced a proposed rule that would impose a four-year limit on the length of time international students can remain in the United States for their studies. This rule, set to be published on Thursday, is part of an effort to curb what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) describes as “visa abuse” and to improve the agency’s ability to vet and oversee foreign students.
According to the DHS, foreign students have taken advantage of U.S. policies, remaining enrolled in educational programs indefinitely, which the agency refers to as becoming “forever students.” A spokesperson for the DHS stated, “For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens.”
The proposed rule aims to end this practice by limiting the duration of stay for certain visa holders, thereby easing the federal government’s burden in overseeing foreign students and their immigration history. Since 1978, holders of F visas, which are designated for foreign students, have been allowed to remain in the U.S. for the “duration of status,” meaning as long as they are enrolled as full-time students.
Under the new proposal, foreign students and exchange visitors would be allowed to stay in the U.S. only for the duration of their academic program, capped at four years. This duration is typically shorter than the time required to pursue advanced degrees beyond a bachelor’s degree.
In addition to the changes for students, the proposed rule would also affect foreign journalists, who would initially be admitted for up to 240 days. They could apply for an extension of up to another 240 days, but their stay would not exceed the length of their assignment.
The DHS believes that requiring regular assessments for foreigners wishing to remain in the U.S. for extended periods will facilitate better oversight and reduce the number of individuals in the country on visas. However, the proposed rule has raised concerns among educational institutions and advocates for international students.
International students often pay higher tuition rates and have limited access to scholarships, which means that this new rule could have significant financial implications for U.S. colleges and universities. Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, expressed concern about the potential impact, stating, “It will certainly act as an additional deterrent to international students choosing to study in the United States, to the detriment of American economies, innovation, and global competitiveness.”
As the proposed rule moves forward, it is expected to spark debate over the balance between national security and the benefits of international education in the U.S.
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