The United States announced a visa policy set to take effect on September 15, 2026, that caps the length of stay for international students, exchange visitors, and journalists. The Trump administration’s new rule replaces the previous ‘duration of status’ system that allowed visas to remain valid for the length of an academic program or employment.
Under the updated system, student and exchange visitor visas are limited to a maximum of four years. Journalist visas face further restrictions with validity capped at 240 days generally, and for Chinese nationals, a stricter 90-day limit applies.
Legal Action to Block Visa Policy Change
A coalition of nonprofits and unions filed
a federal court lawsuit in Boston aiming to halt the new visa restrictions. Plaintiffs include the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The defendants named are the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and ICE acting director David Venturella.
The lawsuit challenges the policy as harmful to universities, research, and the regional economy, accusing the administration of ignoring more than 22,000 public comments opposing the rule and failing to consider less restrictive options. A motion for
a preliminary injunction seeks to delay implementation.
Educators and Institutions Warn of Economic and Academic Harm
The policy imposes new limitations on students’ ability to change courses of study or transfer schools without prior immigration officer approval. Previously, such decisions were handled by campus administrators. Miriam Feldblum, CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, emphasized the unpredictability of relying on immigration officers for these decisions, stating this reduces the likelihood that students will choose to study in the US.
Boston University provost Colin Duckett stated the new visa cap would be “highly detrimental to the university,” affecting research programs such as targeted immunotherapy labs and undergraduate
class staffing. Boston University enrolled approximately 12,000 international students for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Rob McCarron, president and CEO of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, said the policy “creates a tremendous risk for the state and its economy” and “injects uncertainty into something that is so important to Massachusetts.”
According to research by NAFSA, nearly 85,000 international students contribute $3.6 billion to the Massachusetts economy. The new rules are projected to reduce international student admissions by 10% next year and doctoral applications by 21%, predicting an estimated economic loss of $284 million in the state.
Department of Homeland Security Defends Policy
In
response, a DHS spokesperson criticized the lawsuit’s opposition as “performative outrage,” highlighting concerns over foreign nationals abusing student visa terms. The agency stated the policy strengthens national security and protects the integrity of the visa system.
“Where was the outrage when foreign nationals were abusing the system, violating the terms of their student visas, and making a mockery of our immigration laws?” the DHS spokesperson asked.
Impact on Students and Broader Immigration Context
International students and exchange visitors affected by the new rules will be required to apply for visa extensions after reaching the four-year limit. The policy also curtails the ability to transfer schools or modify
academic programs without DHS approval. Journalist visa holders will face reduced permitted stays, especially Chinese nationals restricted to 90 days.
The four-year cap presents particular challenges to graduate students, especially those in doctoral programs that often exceed five years. Miriam Feldblum noted that combined with prior visa revocations and processing delays—including those caused by the FIFA World Cup prioritizing ticket holders—these rules contribute to an unstable environment for international students.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers and a plaintiff, condemned the policy as “breaking the law for its own political purposes” and said it risks turning a
welcoming atmosphere for international scholars into a hostile one.
