Trump Administration aims to end “forever student” status, proposing fixed terms for certain visa holders.
The Trump Administration announced on Wednesday a proposed rule that would significantly alter the U.S. immigration system for certain non-immigrant visa holders, including foreign students, professors, and media representatives.
The new policy, if finalized, would replace the current “duration of status” system with a fixed admission period, aiming to curb what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refers to as “visa abuse.”
For decades, foreign students on F visas have been permitted to remain in the U.S. indefinitely, as long as they maintain full-time enrollment.
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This has led to some individuals becoming “forever” students, perpetually enrolled in courses to avoid additional screening and maintain their legal presence in the country.
A DHS spokesperson stated that this practice poses “safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens.”
Under the new proposal, the federal government would limit the authorized stay for most foreign students and exchange visitors to a maximum of four years. Foreign media representatives would have an initial admission period of up to 240 days, with the possibility of extensions. After the fixed period expires, visa holders would be required to apply for an extension with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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This change would require regular assessments and vetting by DHS, providing the government with more direct oversight of individuals on these visas. The proposed rule was initially introduced in 2020 by the Trump Administration but was subsequently withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021.
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