Trump administration moves to end indefinite ‘duration of status’ for students, exchange visitors, and media representatives
The Trump administration has proposed a new immigration rule that would limit the stay of foreign students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives in the US to a maximum of four years. If finalised, the move would end the long-standing practice of granting “duration of status” that allowed students to remain in the country indefinitely, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the new proposal will apply to academic students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and representatives of foreign media (I visas). The DHS said the rule is intended to enhance national security, reduce misuse of student visas, and allow for better monitoring of foreigners in the country.
Since 1978, foreign students were admitted for an unspecified ‘duration of status’, but the new rule seeks to impose a fixed timeline on visas
Under the plan, foreign students and exchange visitors would be admitted for the length of their academic or exchange programmes, up to a maximum of four years. Extensions could be requested but would require fresh approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
For foreign media representatives, the initial admission period would be capped at 240 days, with an extension of up to another 240 days, depending on the assignment.
DHS officials argued that the reform would prevent foreigners from overstaying their visas and reduce the burden on federal authorities. Critics, however, say the move could make the US a less attractive destination for international students.
