US Judge Halts Stay Duration Limit for Foreign Students and Journalists
A federal judge in Boston has blocked the implementation of a new regulation restricting the stay durations of foreign students and journalists in the US.
A Boston federal court blocked the Department of Homeland Security's controversial rule imposing duration limits on the stay of foreign students and journalists in the US, with a ruling issued just one day before it was set to take effect.
Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction
US District Judge Dennis Saylor in Boston ruled in favor of a coalition formed by unions and higher education advocacy groups, halting the implementation.
The decision, which prevents the Department of Homeland Security from rolling out the rule, was made just before the policy change was scheduled to take effect.
Weak Rationales and Security Emphasis
Judge Saylor described the rationales behind the Department of Homeland Security's pursued policy as extremely weak and directed criticisms at it.
He stated that the agency cited national security and the need to prevent visa program fraud, but failed to evaluate alternatives.
Previous System and New Restriction Proposal
The rule, adopted in July, aimed to replace the long-standing duration of status system with specific maximum limits of stay.
The regulation projected restrictions of up to four years for F and J visas, and a maximum of 240 days for I visas covering journalists.
Warning of Economic and Academic Threat
The court ruling drew attention to the fact that the implementation of this practice could inflict devastating damage on the US higher education system and economy.
It was emphasized that student enrollments at prominent universities such as Harvard and MIT could be directly and negatively affected by this situation.