US court blocks visa restrictions for graduate students and postdocs
A US federal court has temporarily blocked the Donald Trump administration's plan to limit the length of stay in the country to four years for foreign graduate students and researchers undergoing postdoctoral training. US District Judge for the District of Massachusetts F. Dennis Saylor IV issued a preliminary injunction, STAT News reports.
Restrictions suspended pending consideration of lawsuit
The ruling halts the US Department of Homeland Security's initiative to introduce a four-year limit for the visa categories used by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. The new rule was due to take effect on Tuesday.
Currently, foreign students and scholars may remain in the United States for the entire duration of their studies or training. The preliminary injunction will remain in force while the court considers the parties' arguments in the lawsuit against the new rule.
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Judge's remarks
In the decision, Saylor stated that the introduction of the rule clearly did not comply with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. He also pointed to the weakness of the administration's arguments that visa restrictions were necessary to protect national security.
According to the judge, these arguments raise reasonable questions as to whether the true purpose of the policy is other, undisclosed objectives, including increased government control over academic institutions. Experts warned that the planned restrictions could significantly affect US research capacity, as international scholars make up a substantial share of workers in the life sciences.
