New proposed rule on international student visas

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule change that would place new, stricter time limits on international student visas. While this proposed rule does not immediately affect current students, we want to share information about what it could mean if it does take effect, and what our community can do to make our voices heard.

What you need to know

A good summary and analysis of this proposed rule change comes from reporter Karin Fischer, who writes:

“The Trump administration has proposed placing strict caps on the amount of time international students can study in the United States, replacing a system that permitted students to stay until they completed their degree.

Students who wish to be in the U.S. for more than four years would have to petition for an extension. And some students, including those from countries that are designated as state sponsors of terror or that have high visa overstay rates, would be granted visas for just two years.

The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on Friday, is the latest example of the Trump administration’s use of regulation to reshape America’s international-student landscape. While the change may seem obscure — minor, even — it represents a significant break with past practice and could inject an enormous amount of uncertainty into the plans of students, many of whom will have to come to the U.S. with no guarantee they’ll be able to earn a degree or work post-graduation on OPT.

As with other earlier policy changes, it could send a message that the U.S. is unwelcoming to students from abroad, many fear.” Read the full post, including a helpful Q&A section, here.

NAFSA has also issued a press release regarding this rule change, stating:

“This proposed rule is set to replace a proven, flexible policy that has served international students and exchange visitors for decades, with one that is both complicated and burdensome. In a system that is already extremely complex, this rule would undoubtedly create a high degree of uncertainty for international students and exchange visitors.” Read the full press release here.

At this time, University of Washington leadership is working with officials to express their opposition to the change, and International Student Services (ISS) advisors are reviewing the rule in order to better understand what impact it would have if it takes effect. UW international students should be sure to pay attention to any emails from ISS; they will continue to update you with new information as it becomes available.

How to take action

Before a proposed rule can become finalized, there is a required 30-day comment period in which individuals and institutions can express their responses to the rule. We strongly encourage members of the FIUTS community to visit the Federal Register and submit a formal comment opposing this rule change. All comments must be submitted before October 26, 2020. At this time, leaving a comment is the only effective way to express your opposition to this rule change. Before submitting a comment, we recommend reading the information provided here which clarifies the public nature of comments and offers instructions for properly submitting an effective comment.

This has been an incredibly challenging few months for international students, and we want to acknowledge how much stress and anxiety many students are experiencing due to changing regulations, the effects of a global pandemic, and a political environment in the U.S. that can feel confusing and unwelcoming. For all of our local FIUTS community members who care about international students and want to help them feel welcome here, please reach out to students you know to check in and offer support and encouragement. For our students, please know that there are many people at the University of Washington, in the Seattle-area community, and around the country who care about you and value your presence here.

FIUTS will continue to provide updates, so please keep an eye on our website and social media, and feel free to contact us with questions and concerns.