US Court Halts New US Rule Limiting Stay of International Students
What Happened
A US federal judge temporarily blocked a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that would have limited most foreign students and exchange visitors to four years in the US and capped foreign journalists' visas at 240 days. The judge ruled that the government had provided weak justification for the policy and failed to properly address concerns raised during the rulemaking process. The measure had been due to take effect on September 15.
Key Takeaways
The ruling preserves the long-standing“duration of status” system, allowing international students and researchers to remain in the US as long as they meet visa requirements and continue their studies or work. The decision is a relief for universities and foreign students, including many from India, who feared disruption to higher education and research programmes.