U.S. Court Blocks Trump Administration's 4-Year Limit on International Student Visas

[Financial News] A U.S. federal court has put the brakes on the implementation of the Donald Trump administration's new regulations that limit the period international students and foreign journalists can stay in the United States without applying for an extension.
According to British media, Judge Dennis Thaler of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an injunction on the 14th (local time), the day before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s new regulations were set to take effect, temporarily suspending their enforcement. Judge Thaler pointed out that "the introduction of the new regulations clearly did not comply with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, and the government's argument that visa restrictions are necessary for national security is unconvincing."
Previously, in July, the DHS released a final revision of regulations regarding the duration of stay and procedures for extending stay for non-immigrant visa types, including international students (F visa), participants in cultural and exchange programs (J visa), and foreign media personnel (I visa). Currently, holders of F, J, and I visas can remain in the United States until their studies, exchange programs, or employment in the U.S. are completed; however, the new regulations included provisions to abolish the existing "maintenance of status" system for these visas and apply a fixed duration of stay.
According to the new regulations currently on hold, international students holding an F visa are only allowed to enter and stay in the United States for a fixed period of up to four years, and if an extension is needed, they must apply to the DHS for an extension of stay or leave the country and obtain permission to re-enter.
Holders of J visas, which are issued to exchange visitors for research, training, and medical training programs, were also limited to a period of stay of four years, just like F visa holders.
Previously, holders of I visas, such as foreign correspondents, were allowed to stay in the U.S. as long as their employment and reporting activities were maintained, but the duration was limited to a maximum of 240 days (90 days for Chinese nationals). Consequently, foreign correspondents based in the U.S. had to go through the process of extending their stay on a regular basis.
The regulation was scheduled to take effect on the 15th. However, last month, eight organizations, including the National Association of International Educators (NAFSA), the Coalition for Higher Education and University Presidents' Migration Policy, and The NewsGuild, filed a lawsuit to block the new regulation.
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter