Judge Blocks Trump Rule Capping Foreign Student Visas

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on September 14, 2026, blocking a Trump administration rule that would have capped the length of stay for foreign students, researchers, and journalists. The rule, finalized in July by the Department of Homeland Security, sought to replace the long-standing duration of status framework with fixed-term admissions, including a four-year maximum for F and J visa holders and 240 days for I visa holders. A stricter 90-day limit was proposed for Chinese media representatives.

Judge Saylor ruled that the government's justifications regarding national security and fraud prevention were exceptionally weak and arbitrary, noting that the agency failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act. He warned that the policy could cause catastrophic damage to the U.S. economy and higher education system, potentially costing universities hundreds of millions of dollars. The judge also expressed concern that the administration could use the policy to target journalists critical of the government.

The ruling came one day before the policy was scheduled to take effect. The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of unions and higher education advocacy groups, including the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. While the Department of Homeland Security defended the move as a way to eliminate loopholes, the injunction halts the rule's implementation pending a final resolution of the case.