The Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled a proposed rule that would cap the length of time international students can remain in the U.S. for their studies at four years.
If finalized, the rule—set to be published on Thursday—would restrict how long certain visa holders, including foreign students, can stay in the country, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release. The agency said the proposal aims to curb “visa abuse” and enhance its ability to “properly vet and oversee these individuals.”
DHS officials argued that some foreign students have “taken advantage of U.S. generosity” and become “forever students” by remaining enrolled in colleges primarily to maintain their residency in the U.S.
“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,” 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., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history,” the spokesperson added.
Since 1978, foreign students, or F visa holders, have been allowed to remain in the U.S. for the “duration of status,” meaning the period they are enrolled full-time. Under the proposed rule, students and exchange visitors could remain in the U.S. for the length of their program, but no longer than four years—typically less time than required for education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
In addition to students, the rule would set the initial admission period for foreign journalists at up to 240 days. They could request an extension of up to another 240 days, but not beyond the length of their assignment.
Regular assessments by DHS for foreigners seeking to stay longer would allow the agency to conduct “proper oversight” and reduce the overall number of people in the country on visas, the press release stated.
Foreign students often pay higher tuition and receive fewer scholarships, meaning the rule could financially impact U.S. colleges if international enrollment declines.
“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,” Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, told POLITICO.
