U.S. federal judge blocks Trump administration's new rule limiting the length of stay of international students and media representatives from taking effect

China News Service, September 15 (Xinhua) According to Reuters, a U.S. federal judge on the 14th blocked a new Trump administration rule that would tighten the stay period for international students and foreign media representatives in the United States from taking effect as scheduled.

U.S. District Judge Seiler of Massachusetts issued the ruling one day before the new rules were scheduled to take effect. Thaler said the Department of Homeland Security enacted the policy on "extremely weak" grounds.

The Department of Homeland Security previously supported the new rule on the grounds of national security and preventing fraud in the visa program, but the judge said it failed to adequately consider alternatives and respond to public comments.

The Department of Homeland Security announced new regulations on July 16, stipulating that the length of stay of international students holding F visas and exchange visitors holding J visas in the United States is the same as the duration of their specific courses and projects, and cannot exceed 4 years. Those who need to defer their studies or programs must formally apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Applicants are subject to biometric information review, background checks and fraud screening. The period of stay in the United States for foreign media representatives holding I visas has also been tightened. The vast majority of people holding such visas cannot stay in the United States for more than 240 days, but they can apply for an extension.

Organizations such as the American Association of International Educators, the American Association of Presidents of Higher Education and Immigration, and the American Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court of Massachusetts on August 18, requesting to block the implementation of the new regulations.