Trump Trying To Tighten Visa Rules By Proposing Time Limit

The Trump administration is determined to flush out international students, citing some reason. After expressing concern over anti-Semitism protests, Trump is now trying to impose a fixed duration for student visas, in the place of the current flexible system.

This move is being viewed as a tough step to check immigration and have a significant impact on Indian students staying on F-1 and J-1 visas. Initially, the rule was proposed during the President’s first term in 2020 and it would affect foreign students, exchange visitors and foreign media journalists. At present, international students holding F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas stay in the US under “duration of status” which allows them to remain in the country as long as they have full-time enrollment or participation in the specific programme. Exchange visitors include students, professors, scholars, trainees, teachers, interns, specialist, and physicians.

Under current conditions, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are not given any specific time frame for departure, during the admission. It is implied that they would stay in the US as long as they remain engaged with the work and purpose for which the visa was issued. Reportedly, the proposed rule has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review following which, the rule will be published in the Federal Register. Then it is opened for public opinion for a period 30-60 days or even longer. The government also can issued the new norm as an interim final rule, which can be put into effect immediately, without considering the public opinion. It is learnt that academics are opposing the rule on the ground that it would disrupt the study programs.