AGs of 22 states in the US oppose proposed curbs on student visas
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An alliance of lawyers general drawn from 22 states in the US has opposed a proposed rule. That looks to restrict the duration of international student visas to four years and sometimes, to two years.
In a letter to the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, they said the proposed rule. If finalized, would forever harm US educational institutions and state economies by discouraging or preventing students from pursuing education in the US. They called for putting aside the proposed rule completely. The letter is an assurance sponsor to Harvard and other educational institutions that have additionally opposed the proposal.
“The proposed rule is arbitrary and impulsive, and in this way can’t withstand scrutiny under the Administrative Procedure Act. On a few grounds, including flawed logic, defective data, and tenuous reasoning,” they said in the letter. The AGs represent states, for example, Columbia, California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Washington.
Student Visas
TOI in its release of September 26, had investigated the proposed rule. Presently, international students can remain in the US as long as they are occupied with studies. Under the proposed rule, For J non-immigrants (which covers students undertaking academic courses, research scholars, and their dependents) will be admitted to the US for a period not exceeding four years.
[New DHS Rule Revising H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program Released]
In some cases, the approved stay can restricted to two years. For example, in those situations where the student was born in or is a resident of a nation which is on the fear list and those nations which have a visa overstay rate of over 10%. The need to ensure public security and prevent overstay is the avowed objective of the proposed rule.
The AGs exposed DHS’s stand that students pursuing a bachelors’ or masters’ degree would finish their studies in four years. “Only 41% of full-time students acquire a bachelor’s degree in four years,” the letter said, referring to statistics by the National Center for Education.
