Termination of foreign students Visa

Trump Administration Reverses Student Visa Policy

The Trump administration has reversed its abrupt decision to terminate the visa registrations of foreign students in the U.S., following widespread backlash from universities, businesses, and immigration advocates. The initial move, which would have required international students to reapply for their visas under a more stringent process, was criticized as disruptive and harmful to both students and the institutions that rely on them.

The proposed policy, introduced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), sought to end the automatic extension of visa registrations for foreign students, forcing them to leave the country and reapply if their academic programs were delayed or extended. This would have affected thousands of students, particularly those in lengthy programs like PhDs or medical research, creating financial and logistical burdens.

After intense pushback from higher education groups and lawmakers, the administration walked back the plan, maintaining the current system where visa registrations (Form I-515A) are automatically extended while applications are processed. Critics argued the original proposal would have deterred international students from studying in the U.S., further straining universities already facing declining enrollments.

The reversal highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy, where efforts to tighten rules often clash with the economic and academic benefits brought by foreign students. The Biden administration had previously eased some restrictions, but this episode underscores how policy shifts can create uncertainty for international scholars. The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether it will revisit the proposal in the future.