Overview
- A federal judge in Boston granted a nationwide preliminary injunction on Monday, Sept. 14, pausing a DHS rule that was due to take effect Sept. 15 and stopping the policy while the lawsuit proceeds.
- Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV found DHS’s legal justifications weak and said the rule would likely cause severe harm to U.S. higher education and the economy if implemented.
- The July rule would have replaced duration‑of‑status with fixed admit‑until dates, generally capping F‑1 and J‑1 stays at four years and limiting I‑visa stays to 240 days (90 days for many Chinese media), while cutting the post‑study grace period from 60 days to 30 days.
- Under the proposal, students needing more time would have to file discretionary, non‑appealable Extensions of Stay with USCIS that carry fees and biometric requirements, a change universities say will add major administrative work and could deter international enrollment, especially in long doctoral programs.
- The injunction is temporary and the government is expected to seek an appeal or emergency stay; a next court proceeding is scheduled for early October, so visa rules could still change depending on higher court action or the case’s final outcome.