Posted on 09/01/2025 3:45:32 PM PDT by Twotone
The Trump administration announced a new proposed rule on Wednesday to increase vetting of foreign nationals and prevent "forever" students who abuse the visa system.
Trump's Department of Homeland Security highlighted F visas for students, I visas for media members, and J visas for exchange visitors, which include professors, research assistants, au pairs, and camp counselors, among others.
The rule proposes ending "duration of status" for these visa programs, which currently allow immigrants to remain in the United States for an unspecified period of time without further screening.
"In turn, foreign students have taken advantage of U.S. generosity and have become 'forever' students, perpetually enrolled in higher education courses to remain in the U.S.," a DHS press release reads.
More than 2,100 foreign nationals who were granted F-1 visas between 2000 and 2010 were still residing in the U.S. as of April, according to the proposed rule. It highlighted several instances of abuse, including a case involving a dance school student who received an F-1 visa in 1991. The student's school reportedly requested 17 program extensions between 2003 and 2020. The student transferred to an English language training program at a different school in 2022 and, as of May, has remained in the U.S. on a student visa, the document noted.
By eliminating duration of status, those on student visas would be permitted to remain in the U.S. only for the duration of their education programs, which are not to exceed four years.
Foreign media representatives would be granted a stay of up to 240 days, with the possibility of extending it for an additional 240 days, according to the new rule. However, their time in the U.S. would be limited to the duration of their temporary activity or assignment.
If the proposed rule is adopted, individuals with F, J, or I visas would be admitted for a fixed period of time. They would generally be allowed to request an extension, but they must submit their extension application directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"This would allow DHS to conduct proper oversight as part of [Student and Exchange Visitor Program] and [Student and Exchange Visitor Information System] by making access to necessary information more accessible and reducing the number of individuals here on visas," the DHS press release reads.
The proposed rule highlighted a significant increase in visa applicants since duration of status was initially granted for these programs, including a reported 250% increase in J visas and a 94% increase in I visas from 1985 to 2023.
"In 2023 alone, there were over 1.6 million admissions in F status, a dramatic rise from when the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) first shifted to D/S admission in 1979. For example, in the 1980-81 school year, there were approximately 260,000 admissions in F status," the proposed rule reads.
The first Trump administration proposed this rule in 2020. However, it was later withdrawn under the leadership of former President Joe Biden.
"For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing [an] untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens," a DHS spokesperson stated. "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 U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history."
If you’re not a professor by the time you’re 35 it’s time to move on to something else... Like a job?
Hanging out with 20 year old kids on a big campus is creepy if you aren’t a professor... Actually... Sometimes it’s creepy when you are a professor.
“ foreign students have taken advantage of U.S. generosity”
We should change “foreign students“ to just plain foreigners.
55,000,000 visas issued by US.
Where are they all?
I voted for this! The Army gave me two choices when I accepted my ROTC scholarship: graduate in 4 years and enter the Army as a 2nd LT; or not graduate in 4 years and enter the Army as a Spec 4. Putting a time restriction on these visas is appropriate.
I spoke to an AA man who was going to college for free. He was getting tuition paid, his meal plan and free housing along with all other benefits. AS LONG AS HE WAS IN COLLEGE this was taking place and he had THREE DEGREES and was working on another. I asked him if he was going to put his degrees to work and he grinned the biggest grin.
Only because her mother was allowed to stay for 9 years (on fraudulent extensions of a 2-year Student Visa originally issued in 1958) was Kamala Harris born in the USA in 1964, instead of within her parent's native India or Jamaica.
Trump here is preventing additional future "Kamalas" from usurping power (from actual natural-born US citizens).
Foreign students AND ILLEGAL VISITORS shouldn’t be allowed to have birthright citizenship.
Yeah these fraud students (might be bots?) are stealing from us nonstop.
“...a case involving a dance school student who received an F-1 visa in 1991...”
The “student” is still here in the USA, supposedly studying, 34 years attending school. What a total farce. I’m sure that dance degree in Zulu Gyration Techniques is bringing in the big bucks. /spit
H1b visa should have a hard 6 year.
I went to lunch with a bunch of them and they were just just waiting for 10 years so they could collect SS move back to their country and retire
Obama’s ‘father’ was also in the US on a visa overstay. He was eventually kicked out.
In fact, most if not all of Obama’s relatives in the US were/are here on overstayed visas. Including his ‘Uncle Omar’ and the late ‘Aunt Zetuni.’ Both of them had numerous deportation orders which they ignored.
Why would any foreigner be eligible for SS benefits? They aren’t our responsibility!
H1B visa holders who have 40 plus credits will get SS benefits once they are eligible to receive (62 years)
They will get the SS benefits even if they live outside of the US if their country of residence/citizenship is the approved list. They also confirmed that India is on the list of approved countries.
This is really good news as Green Cards and Citizenship is a long way to go for those from India and their contribution to SSA doesn’t go waste!
Here is the link for the approved countries and India is on that list: Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States
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