California is main a multistate coalition in opposition to proposed federal adjustments that may prohibit worldwide pupil visas.
The proposal by the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety would restrict worldwide college students to a set four-year visa interval and prohibit their capability to switch faculties or change tutorial packages. College students could be required to use for an extension to stay within the U.S. past the fastened time period. The Division of Homeland Safety mentioned the principles would “curb visa abuse” and enhance DHS’s capability to correctly vet and oversee worldwide pupil visa holders and “their history.”
The company mentioned the rule was first proposed underneath President Trump in 2020 however was withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021.
In opposing the adjustments, California Legal professional Normal Rob Bonta introduced the multistate coalition Monday in partnership with the attorneys basic of Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
The proposal comes because the Trump administration has cracked down on immigration and visas for overseas college students and employees throughout the nation. Earlier this spring, the State Division expanded the screening course of for pupil visa candidates, directing diplomats to comb by means of college students’ social media accounts and the administration terminated lots of of worldwide college students’ visas earlier than it abruptly reversed course and restored college students’ immigration statuses. And this month, the Trump administration imposed a brand new $100,000 charge on some visas, sparking widespread panic amongst employees and firms.
In a letter to DHS secretary Kristi Noem and performing director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, Bonta and the state leaders urged the Trump administration to withdraw the proposal to restrict worldwide college students’ visas, arguing the proposed rule would harm American universities and state economies by discouraging worldwide college students from pursuing instructional alternatives within the U.S.
Bonta’s workplace mentioned the proposal can have an excessive affect on California particularly, because the state welcomes extra worldwide college students than another state within the nation — 140,858 for the 2023-24 tutorial 12 months, in response to the nonprofit worldwide schooling affiliation NAFSA: Affiliation of Worldwide Educators.
In line with the group, worldwide college students contributed $6.4 billion to California’s economic system and supported greater than 55,114 jobs within the 2023-2024 tutorial 12 months. The affiliation additionally warned of a projected decline of $7 billion to the U.S. economic system as a result of worldwide pupil visa restrictions and ensuing declines in enrollment, resulting in a possible lack of 60,000 jobs nationwide.
Bonta’s workplace mentioned estimates by the Division of Homeland Safety reveal that the proposed change would price U.S. establishments practically $90 million.
“Our state thrives when students from around the world come here to learn, research, and contribute,” Bonta mentioned. “The Trump Administration’s proposal is a direct threat to California’s universities and colleges, our economy and to the diversity that strengthens our communities. We urge the Department of Homeland Security to reverse this misguided rule and recognize that America is stronger and more economically vibrant when we attract the best and the brightest students from all over the world.”
The states’ letter to Noem and Lyons argued the proposed rule would prohibit worldwide college students’ faculty transfers and tutorial program adjustments inside an undergraduate’s first tutorial 12 months except an exception is permitted by the Scholar and Change Customer Program — DHS’ program for overseeing worldwide pupil visas.
Beneath the proposed rule, graduate college students could be prohibited from altering instructional packages, and pupil visa holders could be required to depart the U.S. inside 30 days of finishing their research, somewhat than the present 60 days. An extension of keep for worldwide college students would solely be granted by DHS if further time is required for a compelling tutorial motive, as a result of a documented medical sickness or situation or a circumstance past the scholar’s management, like a pure catastrophe, nationwide well being disaster or the closure of the college. DHS wouldn’t grant a pupil an extension of keep if further time is required as a result of tutorial probation, suspension or the shortcoming to finish their course of examine.
However the states’ letter identified that nationally, solely 34% of all school college students full their undergraduate levels inside 4 years and the common time wanted for a graduate or doctoral diploma is for much longer — seven to 12 years.
“DHS claims the rule is intended to combat fraud, yet it inappropriately fails to explain how eliminating the duration of status will address those concerns,” Bonta’s workplace mentioned. “Instead, these burdensome restrictions will discourage international students from applying to U.S institutions, increase deportation risks and create costly administrative hurdles.”
Of their letter, Bonta and the multistate coalition argued the proposed rule violates federal legislation and can have a chilling impact on worldwide pupil functions, not solely impacting state economies and college budgets but in addition reducing the standard of schooling offered to American college students. As worldwide college students sometimes pay full-tuition, the coalition identified that the rule would scale back tuition revenues that assist fund packages for in-state college students.
“Limiting international students’ ability to study in the U.S. will only undermine the health of California’s economy, contributing to fewer course offerings, student services, academic support and housing services for both international and American students,” Bonta’s workplace mentioned.
Initially Revealed: October 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM PDT
