Introduction to the New Student Visa Rule
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Democratic attorneys general from 14 states and Washington, D.C. pushed back against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to visas for international students in a letter to Trump administration officials on Monday.
Current Rules and Proposed Changes
Under current rules, international students can legally remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain full-time enrollment at their institution. But DHS announced in late August that it would move to set the duration of visas to match a student’s program length and four years at most. Students needing to extend their stay will need to apply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, allowing more oversight from DHS. The new rule also makes it more difficult for international students to transfer schools or change their program.
Criticism from Attorney General Raoul
“Welcoming international students to our colleges and universities creates a more enriching educational environment for all students,” Raoul said in a statement. “The Trump administration’s proposal would harm our institutions of higher education and our economy.” DHS, in an August news release, said the move would explicitly help DHS reduce the number of visa holders in the U.S.
Rationale Behind the Proposed Rule
“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 untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” the DHS release states. However, the Democratic attorneys general argued that this move violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies can propose and establish new regulations.
Impact on International Students and the Economy
The attorneys general also criticized DHS for harming international students. They noted that while most undergraduate programs can be completed within four years, graduate and doctoral programs usually require more time, forcing students to deal with the complex process to obtain an extension. The attorneys general also warned that the changes could reduce tuition revenues for colleges, ultimately harming domestic students and the U.S. economy. “Limiting international students’ ability to study in the U.S. will only undermine the health of Illinois’ economy and result in fewer course offerings, student services, academic support and housing services for both international and American students,” Raoul said in the statement.
Reaction to the Proposed Rule
Since the proposed rule’s publication in August, it has drawn praise from anti-immigration groups. But education leaders and some employers have questioned the move as deterring international talent from coming to the U.S. As of Monday — the last day of the comment period — the proposed rule has received nearly 22,000 comments. DHS is expected to publish a final version of the rule within months.
Conclusion
The proposed changes to the student visa rules have sparked controversy and criticism from various stakeholders. While the DHS aims to reduce the number of visa holders in the U.S., the move is likely to harm international students, institutions of higher education, and the economy. The final outcome of the proposed rule remains to be seen, but it is clear that the decision will have significant implications for the future of international education in the U.S.
FAQs
Q: What are the current rules for international students in the U.S.?
A: Currently, international students can remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain full-time enrollment at their institution.
Q: What are the proposed changes to the student visa rules?
A: The proposed changes would set the duration of visas to match a student’s program length and four years at most, and require students to apply for an extension if needed.
Q: Why are the attorneys general criticizing the proposed rule?
A: The attorneys general argue that the proposed rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act and would harm international students, institutions of higher education, and the economy.
Q: What is the expected outcome of the proposed rule?
A: The final outcome of the proposed rule remains to be seen, but it is expected to have significant implications for the future of international education in the U.S.
Q: How many comments has the proposed rule received?
A: As of Monday, the proposed rule has received nearly 22,000 comments.
