Trump Administration Proposes New Rule to Limit Duration of Foreign Students in the US
In a bold move, the Trump administration unveiled a new rule on Wednesday that aims to restrict the length of time foreign students can study in the United States. This rule specifically targets visas for foreign students, cultural exchange programs, and foreign media, signaling a continued crackdown on international students who are believed to have violated the law.
The current policy allows foreign students with an F visa to remain in the US for the entirety of their studies, regardless of duration. However, under the proposed rule, the admission period for foreign students and exchange visitors would be limited to a fixed period of “up to the duration of the program they are participating in, not to exceed a 4-year period.” Additionally, students would only have a 60-day grace period after completing their studies to either maintain legal status or leave the country.
For foreign media personnel, the proposed rule sets an admission period of up to 240 days, with the option to extend for the same duration. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security defended the rule, stating that previous administrations had allowed visa holders to stay in the US indefinitely, posing safety risks and draining taxpayer dollars.
The Department of State has also intensified its scrutiny of student visas, revoking over 6,000 visas this year alone. The majority of these revocations were due to individuals overstaying their visas or engaging in criminal activities such as assault, DUI, burglary, and terrorism-related offenses.
Compared to the previous year, the number of revoked visas has quadrupled, reflecting a tougher stance on visa violations. In June, the State Department instructed embassies and consulates to assess student visa applicants for any “hostile attitudes towards our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.” This move underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding national security and upholding the integrity of the visa system. — CNN
