The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that it intends to publish a proposed rule that would limit the length of time foreign students can stay in the United States, writes "Politico".
Since 1978, foreign students, or F visa holders, have been able to stay in the United States for the duration of their "status", i.e. as long as they are enrolled as full-time students. The proposed rule, to be released Thursday, would allow foreign students and exchange visitors to stay for the duration of their program, but no more than four years.
DHS officials said the rule is to correct a system in which foreign students have "taken advantage of U.S. generosity" by becoming "perpetual students."
"For too long, previous administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the United States virtually indefinitely, creating safety risks, costing taxpayers untold amounts of money, and putting American citizens at a disadvantage," a DHS spokesman said in a statement. "This new proposed rule would put an end to this abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time some visa holders can stay in the United States, easing the burden on the federal government to properly monitor foreign students and their records."
If finalized, the rule would require foreign students to be regularly evaluated by DHS in order to remain in the United States for longer periods.
Advocates representing foreign students said the rule would create uncertainty for these students and present them with more bureaucratic hurdles to overcome.
"International students deserve assurance that their period of enrollment in the United States will meet the requirements of their academic programs," said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Alliance of Presidents, which represents 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities. "They already represent the most closely monitored population in the U.S. and are subject to intense oversight by DHS and academic institutions."
The proposed rule could dissuade some students from choosing to study in the U.S., said Fanta Au, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: The Association of International Educators.
"This 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," Au said in a statement.
Logistical hurdles, such as delays in visa interviews, have already led to a decline in international student enrollment. A report by the Institute for International Education, which collected feedback from hundreds of U.S. higher education institutions, found that 35% of the schools they surveyed reported a decrease in applications this fall, compared to just a 17% decrease in the previous academic year.
There are also serious financial consequences for colleges if fewer international students enroll, because they typically pay more in tuition and receive fewer scholarships.