Overview

• The Trump administration’s draft rule would cap authorized stays for foreign students at four years and limit foreign journalists to 240 days, with Chinese journalists restricted to 90 days.
• If finalized, the limits would replace current practice that ties student stays to program length and grants up to five years for journalist visas.
• Homeland Security officials say the change addresses security risks and taxpayer costs from lengthy stays allowed under prior administrations.
• Higher-education leaders warn the policy would deter global talent despite international students contributing over $50 billion in 2023 and more than 1.1 million studying in the U.S. in 2023–24.
• The proposal follows stepped-up enforcement, including about 6,000 student-visa revocations since January and enhanced checks affecting roughly 55 million visa holders.