Student Visa Changes Approved by the Trump Administration

The Trump Administration proposed a rule that, if implemented, would limit how long certain visa holders—such as international students—can stay in the United States. The intent behind the rule is to reduce visa misuse and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) oversight and vetting capabilities.

Under the proposed rule, foreign students and exchange visitors would be granted admission for the length of their academic program, not exceeding four years. Foreign media representatives would be admitted for up to 240 days, with possible extensions of the same length, depending on the nature of their assignment.

For years, previous administrations have allowed international students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. indefinitely, creating security concerns, placing a financial burden on taxpayers, and disadvantaging American citizens. This rule aims to prevent such misuse by setting clear limits on how long these individuals can stay, making oversight more manageable.

The rule would also require individuals in these visa categories and to apply for an extension through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they wish to stay beyond the initial authorized period. This would allow DHS to regularly assess their eligibility and maintain better oversight through systems like SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

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