DHS Files New Rule in Federal Register
The Trump administration has introduced a proposal to impose a four-year time limit on certain non-immigrant visas, including F (student), J (exchange), and I (media) visas. The plan, filed in the Federal Register by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to tighten immigration rules and address what officials describe as growing challenges in monitoring long-term visa holders.
Why It Matters
International students and exchange visitors have increasingly been the focus of U.S. immigration enforcement. Many student visa holders have already faced delays, revoked status, and embassy interview backlogs under the Trump administration. If enacted, the new rule could create uncertainty for students, researchers, and media professionals coming to the U.S., critics warn.
Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said the move would “create additional uncertainty, intrude on academic decision-making, increase bureaucratic hurdles, and risk deterring international students, researchers and scholars from coming to the United States.”
What the Rule Proposes
Currently, F, J, and I visa holders are allowed to stay in the U.S. as long as they remain compliant with the terms of their visa programs. The new proposal seeks to replace this “duration of status” rule with a fixed four-year cap.
- F visas cover international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities.
- J visas apply to exchange visitors, including au pairs, medical students, academics, and summer workers.
- I visas are issued to foreign journalists and media workers.
According to DHS, the number of these visas has surged over the decades: F visas grew from 260,000 in 1981 to 1.6 million in 2023, J visas rose 250% since 1985, and I visas nearly doubled in the same period. Officials argue that a fixed time frame would improve oversight and reduce overstays.
Impact on Students and Professionals
If approved, international students would need to apply for a visa extension or transition to another visa category (such as H-1B) if their studies are not completed within four years. Similarly, J and I visa holders would face renewal requirements to continue their programs or assignments.
Advocacy groups have warned that these measures would place a heavy burden on both visa holders and universities. “The proposed rule is yet another unnecessary and counterproductive measure targeting international students and scholars,” Feldblum said.
DHS Response
In defense of the policy, a DHS spokesperson told Newsweek:
“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 taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens. This new proposed rule would end that abuse by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain.”
What Happens Next
The proposal will undergo a public comment period before it can move forward. The idea was originally floated in 2020 and received over 32,000 comments, the majority opposing the change. The Biden administration later scrapped the plan, but it has now been revived under the second Trump administration.
