Trump Tightens Stay Rules for Foreign Students

Trump Tightens Stay Rules for Foreign Students 

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration policy that will limit how long international students and exchange visitors can remain in the country.

Under the new rule announced by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), holders of F visas for academic studies and J visas for exchange programmes will be admitted for the duration of their approved programme, but for no more than four years.

The department said the policy ends the long-standing “Duration of Status” system, which previously allowed eligible students and exchange visitors to remain in the United States for as long as they continued to meet the conditions of their visas.

According to DHS, replacing the open-ended arrangement with a fixed period of stay will strengthen oversight of the immigration system and help curb visa abuse and fraud.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the previous system had created security concerns by allowing some foreign nationals to remain in the country without regular government review.

The decision has, however, drawn criticism from education stakeholders. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAFSA, an association representing international educators, described the move as unnecessary and warned that it would create uncertainty for students and institutions.

Aw said the policy could discourage talented students and scholars from choosing the United States, arguing that it sends a message that the country is becoming less welcoming and less predictable for international education.

If implemented as announced, the rule will affect thousands of international students and exchange visitors seeking to study or participate in academic and cultural exchange programmes across the United States.