• Trump administration seeks to limit visa durations for students and journalists.
• Proposed changes include a maximum of four years for student visas.
• Journalists' stays would be capped at 240 days, with strict conditions for extensions.
• This move is part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated by Trump.
• Higher education leaders condemn the proposal as a bureaucratic hurdle.

The Trump administration has proposed new regulations aimed at tightening visa durations for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors, and journalists, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. Under this proposal, student and exchange visas would be limited to a maximum of four years, while visas for foreign journalists could last up to 240 days, with exceptions for journalists from China and Hong Kong, who would be eligible for only 90 days. These changes are part of a broader crackdown aimed at addressing what the administration describes as "forever students" who indefinitely extend their studies in the U.S., according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The announcement comes after the administration stated that such measures are necessary to ensure better monitoring of visa holders, who the Department of Homeland Security claims may pose safety risks and disadvantage U.S. citizens. However, the department has not provided evidence of any negative impact on U.S. citizens directly attributable to international students, who have significantly contributed to the U.S. economy, generating over $50 billion in revenue in recent years, according to Channel News Asia and The Jakarta Post.

Critics from the higher education sector argue that these visa restrictions represent unnecessary hurdles that may deter talented individuals from pursuing studies in the U.S., ultimately weakening the competitive edge of U.S. universities. Miriam Feldblum, president of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, stated, "This proposed rule sends a message to talented individuals from around the world that their contributions are not valued in the United States," highlighting the detrimental impact these changes may have on academic institutions, as noted by Dawn and TRT Global.

The proposed regulatory changes were officially published in the Federal Register and are currently open for public comment before taking effect. The initiative reflects a continuity of Trump's stringent immigration policies and follows a previous unsuccessful attempt to impose similar visa limits during his first term, which had faced substantial backlash from advocacy groups and educational institutions, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.