Unions, College Groups Sue DHS Over 4-Year Student Visa Limits
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Aug 18
Unions, College Groups Sue DHS Over 4-Year Student Visa Limits
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Aug 18
Summary
A coalition including the UAW, AFT and higher-education groups sued in Massachusetts federal court to block a DHS rule before its Sept. 15 start date.
The rule, finalized last month, would replace the long-standing “duration of status” system with fixed admission periods—four years for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, 240 days for I visa media.
Plaintiffs say DHS violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to properly weigh costs or answer public comments, and argue the time limits do not fit many students’ academic timelines.
DHS has defended tighter, more frequent renewals as needed for national-security vetting, but challengers say the policy would burden colleges and make the US less competitive for global talent.