A US federal judge temporarily halted new visa rules that would limit how long international students and foreign journalists can remain in the country.
US Judge Blocks New Visa Limits for Students, Journalists
A US federal judge has postponed the implementation of a Trump administration policy imposing stricter time limits on foreign students and journalists studying or working in the United States.
District Judge Dennis Saylor issued a preliminary injunction on Monday, one day before the Department of Homeland Security rules were scheduled to take effect. The order places the policy on hold while a lawsuit filed by a coalition of unions representing universities, teachers and journalists moves forward.
Under the proposed rules, international students would be admitted for a maximum period of four years. Those requiring additional time to complete their courses, academic research or teaching assignments would have to apply to DHS for an extension.
The existing system generally allows international students to stay for the duration of their academic programmes, provided they continue to comply with their visa conditions. Foreign journalists would be limited to an initial stay of 240 days, or approximately eight months. They could apply for extensions of the same duration. Journalists from China would face a shorter 90-day admission period, followed by possible 90-day extensions.
Judge Raises Concerns Over DHS Discretion
Saylor did not issue a final decision on whether the visa rules are lawful. However, his accompanying memorandum raised serious concerns about the authority the proposed policy would give DHS officials. The judge noted that extension decisions could be based on broad and unclear criteria, with applicants having no meaningful opportunity to appeal a denial. Such a system, he warned, could abruptly end the academic, research, teaching or professional activities of non-US citizens.
He also expressed concern that the rules could be misused against foreign journalists who publish reporting critical of the US government or immigration authorities. Journalists whose extension requests were rejected would have limited recourse under the proposed framework.
DHS cited national security concerns when introducing the restrictions. Saylor questioned that justification, saying it appeared to rely largely on a limited number of individual cases rather than evidence of widespread abuse.
The judge also highlighted the contribution of international students, researchers and professors to American universities, scientific research, medicine, technology and economic growth. More than 1.1 million international students attended US institutions during the 2023-24 academic year, according to official figures cited in the report.
The restrictions form part of the Trump administration’s wider immigration crackdown, which includes stronger enforcement operations and tighter controls on legal immigration pathways. A further court hearing has been scheduled for October 2, while the new student and journalist visa rules remain suspended.
