The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal to limit the duration of visas for foreign students and media personnel in the United States, a move officials say is designed to curb illegal immigration and visa abuse.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the new rule would restrict how long certain visa holders—most notably foreign students—could stay in the country.
“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 taxpayers untold amounts of money, and disadvantaging American citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said. “This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S.”
Since 1978, foreign students on F visas have been admitted under what is known as “duration of status.” Unlike most visa categories, this designation allows students to remain in the U.S. for as long as they are enrolled in an academic program, without a fixed end date or additional screening. DHS officials argue this has created loopholes, enabling some to remain in the country indefinitely by continually enrolling in courses.
The administration claims this practice has led to the rise of so-called “forever students,” individuals who allegedly exploit America’s education system as a pathway to permanent residence.
Under the proposed changes, federal authorities would instead set authorized admission and extension periods that align with the length of a student’s academic program, with a maximum stay of four years. Foreign journalists on I visas would also be subject to similar limits.
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The DHS said the rule aims to balance national security and immigration enforcement with opportunities for legitimate students and professionals. Critics, however, warn that the proposal could discourage international students, who contribute billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy and academic institutions.
The rule is still in the proposal stage and will undergo a public comment period before it can be finalized. If adopted, it would mark one of the most significant overhauls of student visa policy in decades.