If passed, the rule would strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) oversight and curb visa abuse.

“For years, previous administrations have allowed international students and some other visa holders to remain in the United States virtually indefinitely, which poses a security risk, costs the budget, and disadvantages U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said. “This new rule will end that practice by imposing a time limit on international students and making it easier for the federal government to monitor and manage international students and their studies.”

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The rate of international students in the US is quite high, such as at Harvard in the 2024-2025 school year, international students account for 27%. Photo: Harvard University

According to the US Department of Homeland Security website, since 1978, international students with F visas have been allowed to enter the US under “duration of status”, meaning they can stay for as long as they want depending on their program of study, without needing to extend or undergo additional checks. This has led some people to take advantage of this by repeatedly registering to study to extend their stay, becoming “permanent students”.

Under Mr. Trump’s new proposal, the government would specify the length of stay and extensions for students and exchange visitors, up to the length of their program of study but not exceeding four years. For foreign journalists, the initial stay would be 240 days, with an extension of up to 240 days, but not exceeding the duration of their temporary assignment.

The implementation of a specific time limit means that students, exchange visitors and international journalists who want to stay longer will have to apply for an extension with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which will allow DHS to conduct regular reviews and monitor more closely through management systems such as SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

This regulation was actually introduced by the Trump administration in 2020 but was canceled by the Biden administration in 2021. Now, the proposal returns with the goal, according to the US side, of protecting the interests and security of citizens, while reducing the budget burden.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chinh-quyen-trump-de-xuat-quy-dinh-siet-thoi-han-luu-tru-cua-du-hoc-sinh-2437129.html