The US government stated that a new immigration rule is necessary to curb “visa abuse" by limiting the duration of stay for foreign students and exchange visitors in the country.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Wednesday that it will publish the proposed regulation on Thursday.
Since 1978, students on F visas have been allowed to stay for the “duration of status," meaning they could remain in the United States as long as they were enrolled full-time in an academic program.
The new proposal would instead grant admission for the length of a student’s program, up to a maximum of four years.
The officials stated that the rule is designed to prevent individuals from remaining in the US indefinitely under student status.
“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens," a DHS spokesperson said.
“This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the US, easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and history."
If finalised, the rule would also require students to undergo periodic reviews by DHS to extend their stay.
Education advocates warned the proposal could create new hurdles for international students.
“International students deserve assurance that their admission period to the U.S. will conform to the requirements of their academic programs," said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance, which represents more than 500 college and university leaders.
“They already represent the most closely monitored population in the U.S. and are subject to rigorous oversight by DHS and academic institutions."
Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said the plan could further discourage students from choosing US institutions.
“It will certainly act as an additional deterrent to international students choosing to study in the United States, to the detriment of American economies, innovation, and global competitiveness," Aw said.
International enrollment has already been affected by visa processing delays and other disruptions.
A recent survey by the Institute of International Education found that 35 per cent of U.S. colleges reported a drop in applications for the upcoming year, compared with 17 percent the year before.
Source: News18