US judge blocks Trump administration’s tighter visa rules for foreign students, journalists

A US federal judge on September 15th temporarily halted the implementation of a new Trump administration policy restricting the duration of visas for foreign students and journalists. The preliminary injunction, issued by District Judge Dennis Saylor, came a day before the new visa rules from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were set to take effect.

The proposed changes would cap foreign students on student visas at four years, down from the previous unlimited duration, and international journalists to just eight months, with extensions possible. Currently, international students can stay for the entire duration of their studies, and foreign journalists can remain for up to five years.

Saylor expressed skepticism about the visa restrictions, noting the system has enabled tens of millions of foreign students, researchers, professors, and journalists to contribute to the US through "groundbreaking research, substantial economic growth, and other benefits." He criticized the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to replace the existing system with one that "substantially restricts" the number of admitted individuals.

Saylor ruled that DHS officials would have "entirely discretionary and unappealable" power to end the academic or research activities of non-US citizens based on vague criteria and without the possibility of appeal. He warned that such actions could disproportionately impact journalists critical of the government, particularly DHS officials.

The DHS defended the rule, citing national security concerns, but the judge dismissed this argument as "absurd" and based on "limited and vague criteria." The visa restrictions are part of President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown, which includes aggressive enforcement and new limitations on legal pathways to citizenship.

Despite the restrictions, the United States continues to welcome over 1.1 million international students annually, more than any other country.