A broad coalition of US larger training organizations is urging the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that may exchange the longstanding “length of standing” (D/S) coverage for F-1 worldwide college students and J-1 change guests with fastened, four-year visa phrases. The teams warn that the change would hurt US schools and universities, deter world expertise, and disrupt the tutorial careers of hundreds of scholars and students.The rule, printed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Aug 28 Federal Register, would cap most scholar and scholar visas at 4 years, limit transfers and modifications of educational applications, shorten the post-completion grace interval from 60 to 30 days, and restrict English-language examine to 24 months. College students needing extra time for diploma completion — comparable to PhD candidates, joint-degree college students, medical residents, and community-college transfers — could be compelled to use for a number of extensions by way of a brand new, untested “extension of standing” (EOS) course of that critics say lacks clear timelines or appeals.The proposed rule was analyzed by TOI in its version of August 29. In public feedback submitted this week, the American Council on Training (ACE) and 53 different higher-education associations known as the rule “flawed” and mentioned it tries to handle issues that don’t exist. “If carried out, the rule would severely limit the alternatives of worldwide college students and discourage them from selecting the USA,” the teams wrote.The Presidents’ Alliance on Greater Training and Immigration (Presidents Alliance) echoed these considerations, warning that the rule would impose “inflexible tutorial timelines,” duplicate oversight already offered by the Scholar and Change Customer Data System (SEVIS) and add “bureaucratic hurdles” that may intrude on tutorial decision-making and create monetary and emotional burdens for college kids.“If carried out, this rule would trigger important hurt to college students and establishments … and sure dissuade worldwide college students, researchers, and students from coming to the USA, with damaging penalties for establishments, small companies, native communities, and the broader financial system,” mentioned Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance.Greater-education leaders burdened that many college students already take greater than 4 years to finish levels: federal knowledge present that even some undergraduates want extra time. They warned that the EOS requirement may create large backlogs much like delays seen with Elective Sensible Coaching (OPT) approvals.The teams additionally criticized limits on program transfers and modifications of main within the first yr, saying the proposal would cut back flexibility that home college students take with no consideration and shift authority over tutorial progress from universities to federal officers.The proposed rule comes as US establishments proceed to compete globally for prime expertise. Worldwide college students contributed an estimated $44 billion to the US financial system in 2023-24, supporting practically 380,000 jobs, whereas additionally advancing analysis and innovation and strengthening cross-border ties. Academic specialists warn that the brand new restrictions may speed up current declines in worldwide enrollment, elevating tuition for home college students and undermining US competitiveness.Each ACE and the Presidents’ Alliance urged DHS to withdraw the rule fully and have interaction immediately with higher-education stakeholders to handle any respectable considerations with out jeopardizing the USA’ long-standing attraction as a premier vacation spot for world expertise.