On Wednesday, the Trump Administration unveiled a proposed rule that, if finalised, would restrict the length of time certain visa holders – including foreign students – can remain in the United States.
The move aims to curb visa abuse and enhance the Department of Homeland Security's ability to properly vet and oversee these individuals.
"For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging US citizens," said a spokesperson of the Department of Homeland Security.
"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 US, easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and history."
Since 1978, foreign students (F visa holders) have been admitted into the US under an unspecified period known as "duration of status".
Unlike other visas, this designation allows students to stay in the country indefinitely without additional screening or vetting.
This has enabled some to become "forever" students, remaining continuously enrolled in higher education programmes to extend their stay in the US.
Under the proposed rule, the federal government would set authorised admission and extension periods for foreign students and exchange visitors based on the duration of their programs, capped at four years.
The initial admission period for foreign media representatives would be up to 240 days, with extensions allowed for the same period but not exceeding the length of their temporary activity or assignment.
Limiting visa periods would also require foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives to apply for authorisation to extend their stay with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), allowing DHS to conduct regular assessments for longer stays.
The rule would strengthen DHS oversight through SEVP and SEVIS by making access to necessary information more efficient and reducing the number of visa holders in the country.
Originally proposed under President Trump in 2020, this proposed rule was withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021, drawing criticism for its potential impact on US citizens and taxpayers.
Comments