US judge blocks Trump limits on how long foreign students, journalists can stay
The judge said the rule would likely cause irreparable harm to universities and the economy, citing weak national security justifications.
- On Monday, U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor blocked the Department of Homeland Security's rule that would have capped F and J visas at four years and limited journalist I visas to 240 days.
- Judge Saylor characterized the Department of Homeland Security's security justification as "exceptionally weak," ruling the agency failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act by ignoring public concerns and considering no alternative approaches.
- The injunction prevents "catastrophic" damage to the U.S. economy and higher education; institutions like Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology rely on international researchers, who represent around 60% of postdoctoral staff.
- Under the new policy, DHS officials would hold "entirely discretionary and unappealable" power to curtail activities, creating an "obvious likelihood" that visas for journalists critical of the government would not be renewed.
- The preliminary injunction remains in place while the legal challenge proceeds; the court scheduled a status conference for October 2, 2026, to continue consideration of the DHS rule.
145 Articles
145 Articles
Judge Blocks Trump Visa Limits for Foreign Students and Journalists
Boston, Massachusetts — A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from imposing new limits on how long foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists can remain in the United States without applying for extensions. U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor issued a preliminary injunction one day before the Department of Homeland Security rule was scheduled to take effect. The policy would have replaced the decades-old “duration …
A federal judge blocked at the last minute a new immigration rule affecting students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists
Reasons for rule that would have affected millions 'exceptionally weak,' says Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV
How Long Can I Stay on an F-1 Visa? New DHS Rule Explained
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a rule on July 17, 2026 that changes how long international students can stay in the United States. The rule also affects exchange visitors and foreign journalists. A coalition of eight higher education groups and unions — including NAFSA, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and […]
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