The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced new measures aimed at tightening immigration policy. The changes will affect both green card applicants and foreign students, exchange program participants, and journalists. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced the reinstatement of a rule under which the use of certain public benefits may become grounds for denying a green card. This concerns social support programs, including food stamps and Medicaid health insurance. According to the Trump administration, applicants for permanent residency should be financially self-sufficient and not dependent on government payments.
The rule was first introduced in 2019 during Donald Trump's first presidential term. At that time, the definition of a "public charge" included immigrants who received public assistance for more than 12 months within any three-year period. In 2022, the Joe Biden administration significantly eased these requirements, but now the authorities have decided to return to the previous approach.
"The reinstated rule underscores the intention to ensure the self-sufficiency of foreigners in the United States and not allow them to depend on taxpayer-funded public benefits," said a statement from US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Human rights organizations have previously criticized this practice, saying it disproportionately affects low-income immigrants and complicates obtaining permanent residency.
At the same time, the Trump administration approved a final rule changing the procedure for issuing visas to foreign students, cultural exchange program participants, and journalists. Now visas of categories F (students), J (exchange program participants), and I (media representatives) will be issued for a fixed period. Currently, such visas are valid for the entire duration of study or work in the US.
The new rules will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register and will be reviewed by Congress. The maximum validity period for student and exchange visas will be four years. Journalist visas will be issued for a maximum of 240 days, and for Chinese citizens — no more than 90 days. After the expiration of the stay period, holders can apply for an extension.
Additionally, graduate students will be prohibited from changing their educational program or transferring to another institution without special permission. The period within which graduates must leave the US after completing their studies or internship is also halved — from 60 to 30 days.
Former Department of Homeland Security official Doug Rand believes that the new restrictions will create additional administrative barriers for foreign students. David Bier, director of immigration policy research at the Cato Institute, stated that some restrictions lack sufficient legal basis.
The Department of Homeland Security, in turn, explained the reform by the increase in the number of foreign citizens arriving on such visas. According to the department, in fiscal year 2024, more than 1.8 million student visas, over 500,000 visas for exchange program participants, and about 37,300 visas for foreign media representatives were issued. The department believes that the increase in such visitors complicates monitoring their compliance with the terms of stay in the US. Therefore, foreigners wishing to remain in the country after the expiration of the permitted period will need to apply in advance for an extension of status or leave the United States and re-enter after obtaining a new permit.