Following public comments submitted last fall by APA (PDF, 425KB) and a variety of stakeholders, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has withdrawn a rule proposed under the Trump administration that would limit the length of time international students and scholars can remain in the U.S. while studying or conducting research. The proposed rule would have changed the current duration of status to a fixed, four- or two-year term. Maintaining the current regulations ensures that international students can remain in the U.S. as long as they are enrolled in an institution of higher education. In its comments, APA urged DHS to withdraw the rule, highlighting its potential impacts on U.S. scholarship, cultural exchange, economic competitiveness, and the nation’s health care. Additionally, APA worked closely with Div. 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) on its statement in opposition to the proposed rule. To ensure the new administration was aware of the impact of the proposed rule, APA staff continued to advocate diligently with new DHS officials and coalition partners to ensure the proposal was ultimately withdrawn.
For more information, contact Kenneth Polishchuk.