미 법원, 트럼프 ‘유학생 체류 4년 제한’ 제동?…8개 단체 가처분 신청

Eight organizations, including the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA), the Higher Education and University Presidents Immigration Policy Alliance, and the News Guild-CWA, have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S. federal court. They are seeking to delay the implementation of a new immigration rule proposed by the Trump administration, which would limit the stay of foreign students and overseas journalists.

The organizations argue that the rule would disrupt academic and research plans and could impact press freedom. If the court allows the delay, the new rule would be halted until April 15. The rule is expected to replace the existing "Duration of Status (D/S)" system, which previously allowed foreign students and journalists to stay without additional paperwork, with a stricter, fixed stay period.

Under the new rule, F (student) visas would be limited to a maximum of 4 years, and J (exchange/research) visas to 240 days, unless the holder requests an extension from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Additionally, the rule would prohibit master's students from transferring to a higher level of study and would reduce the grace period for F-1 visa holders to prepare for departure from 60 days to 30 days.

The organizations also claim that the Department of Homeland Security did not adequately consider alternative, less burdensome options during the rule's development.