WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDNews) – The Trump Administration announced a proposed rule Wednesday aimed at ending what officials describe as foreign student visa abuse by setting fixed time limits for how long certain visa holders may remain in the United States.
The rule would change the current system, in place since 1978, that allows foreign students on visas to stay in the U.S. under a “duration of status” designation—an open-ended period tied to their academic programs. Officials argue that this policy has allowed some individuals to remain in the country indefinitely without additional vetting.
Under the new proposal, foreign students and exchange visitors could stay for the length of their program, but not longer than four years. Extensions would require approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), giving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) more regular oversight.
Foreign media representatives would be admitted for up to 240 days, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 240 days, provided it does not exceed the length of their assignment.
“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,” a DHS spokesperson said. “This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all.”
The administration first introduced the proposal in 2020, but it was later withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021. The current rule, officials say, would strengthen DHS oversight through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
The proposed rule is now open for public comment before any final decision is made.
