Federal judge halts Trump administration rule capping student visa lengths

The short version

• A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to halt a Department of Homeland Security policy that would cap student visas at four years.[The Washington Sun · STAT]
• The regulation had been scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday.[The Washington Sun · STAT]
• A coalition of universities, educators, and labor groups filed a lawsuit in August to block the rule's implementation.[The Washington Sun]

Key facts

• A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking a Department of Homeland Security rule that would cap student visas at four years.[The Washington Sun · STAT]
• The visa policy was originally set to take effect on Tuesday.[The Washington Sun · STAT]
• Judge Dennis Saylor described the government's justification for the policy as exceptionally weak.[The Washington Sun]
• A coalition consisting of higher education institutions, educators, and labor organizations sued DHS in August to challenge the policy.[The Washington Sun]
• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin argued in July that the cap was intended to prevent foreign students from perpetually enrolling in courses to stay in the country.[The Washington Sun]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Judge blocks Trump administration plans to limit visa length for grad students, postdocsSTAT metered
• Judge Blocks Trump Rule Limiting Student Visas to Four YearsThe Washington Sun