Washington, D.C. – On September 25, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed regulation that would establish fixed end dates on student and exchange visitor visas. Under the proposal, individuals applying for international student visas who have citizenship from countries on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list, such as Iran, will only receive visas that would allow for studies lasting 2 years. Extensions beyond this time frame would be limited to those with a pressing academic need, medical emergency or other extenuating circumstances. The rule, if implemented, risks barring Iranians from attending 4-year undergraduate programs or the average Ph.D programs, depriving U.S. institutions of top talent and further ingraining the administration’s xenophobic immigration policy.
In response to the DHS proposal, NIAC has written a letter as a public comment to the Immigration and Enforcement Bureau (ICE) at the Department of Homeland Security calling on them to reverse their new rule. Please see our letter below:
Public Comment - DHS Student Visa Restrictions
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