Major Ruling Protects International Students, Journalists in US
Millions of international students and journalists in the United States received good news this week. A US federal judge has blocked a new rule that would have limited their stay. This rule was set to begin very soon.
US District Judge F Dennis Saylor issued the order in Boston on Monday. He sided with a group of unions and higher education organizations. The Department of Homeland Security’s rule was scheduled to take effect just one day later.
The new rule aimed to change how long foreign students and journalists could remain in the country. It would have replaced a system used for nearly 50 years. This older system allowed people to stay for their “duration of status.”
Under the blocked rule, F visas for students would have had a four-year limit. J visas for cultural exchange visitors would also be capped at four years. I visas for journalists, which can last for years now, would be cut to 240 days.
Judge Saylor found that the Department of Homeland Security used “exceptionally weak” reasons for the policy. The agency had said the rule was needed for national security and to stop visa fraud. However, the judge said the department did not follow its legal duties. It failed to consider concerns or other options.
James Percival, a lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security, criticized the judge’s decision. He said it would allow “rampant abuse” of the immigration system. Mr. Percival suggested people could come on a student visa, take few classes, and stay for decades.
Judge Saylor, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, noted the current system’s benefits. He said it has brought millions of foreign students and researchers to the US. This has led to new scientific discoveries, economic growth, and many other advantages.
The judge warned that the new rule would greatly reduce the number of foreign students, professors, and journalists. He said universities, especially large research institutions, would suffer. They could face hundreds of millions of dollars in costs. Student enrollment would also go down.
Miriam Feldblum leads the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, one of the groups that sued. She said the judge’s decision recognized the harm the rule would cause. It would hurt international students, universities, and the economy. The ruling helps the US attract and keep talented people from around the world.
