The Department of Homeland Security has introduced a proposal that could significantly impact the duration of stay for international students and scholars in the United States. Under this prospective policy, these individuals would face new limits on their residency linked to their educational pursuits.
Currently, international students and academics are permitted to remain in the U.S. for the entirety of their full-time educational programs. The proposed change seeks to restrict this duration to a maximum of four years, after which they would need to undergo a reapplication process.
The DHS claims that allowing foreign students to stay “virtually indefinitely” presents safety concerns and financial burdens on taxpayers. In addition to students, the proposal would also impose restrictions on the time foreign media personnel can remain in the country.
However, the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which includes leaders such as Arizona State University’s Michael Crow, argues that this initiative would create unnecessary obstacles for foreign scholars. They warn that it could lead to a decline in enrollment and exacerbate immigration backlogs.
Stakeholders and the general public have the opportunity to express their views on the proposed rule during the open comment period, which will conclude on September 29.
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