California is leading a multistate coalition in opposition to proposed federal changes that would restrict international student visas.
The proposal by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would limit international students to a fixed four-year visa period and restrict their ability to transfer schools or change academic programs. Students would be required to apply for an extension to remain in the U.S. beyond the fixed term. The Department of Homeland Security said the rules would “curb visa abuse” and increase DHS’s ability to properly vet and oversee international student visa holders and “their history.”
The agency said the rule was first proposed under President Trump in 2020 but was withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021.
In opposing the changes, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the multistate coalition Monday in partnership with the attorneys general 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 as the Trump administration has cracked down on immigration and visas for foreign students and workers across the country. Earlier this spring, the State Department expanded the screening process for student visa applicants, directing diplomats to comb through students’ social media accounts and the administration terminated hundreds of international students’ visas before it abruptly reversed course and restored students’ immigration statuses. And this month, the Trump administration imposed a new $100,000 fee on some visas, sparking widespread panic among workers and companies.
In a letter to DHS secretary Kristi Noem and acting director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, Bonta and the state leaders urged the Trump administration to withdraw the proposal to limit international students’ visas, arguing the proposed rule would hurt American universities and state economies by discouraging international students from pursuing educational opportunities in the U.S.
Bonta’s office said the proposal will have an extreme impact on California especially, as the state welcomes more international students than any other state in the country — 140,858 for the 2023-24 academic year, according to the nonprofit international education association NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
According to the group, international students contributed $6.4 billion to California’s economy and supported more than 55,114 jobs in the 2023-2024 academic year. The association also warned of a projected decline of $7 billion to the U.S. economy due to international student visa restrictions and resulting declines in enrollment, leading to a potential loss of 60,000 jobs nationwide.
Bonta’s office said estimates by the Department of Homeland Security reveal that the proposed change would cost U.S. institutions nearly $90 million.
“Our state thrives when students from around the world come here to learn, research, and contribute,” Bonta said. “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 restrict international students’ school transfers and academic program changes within an undergraduate’s first academic year unless an exception is authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program — DHS’ program for overseeing international student visas.
Under the proposed rule, graduate students would be prohibited from changing educational programs, and student visa holders would be required to depart the U.S. within 30 days of completing their studies, rather than the current 60 days. An extension of stay for international students would only be granted by DHS if additional time is needed for a compelling academic reason, due to a documented medical illness or condition or a circumstance beyond the student’s control, like a natural disaster, national health crisis or the closure of the school. DHS would not grant a student an extension of stay if additional time is needed due to academic probation, suspension or the inability to complete their course of study.
But the states’ letter pointed out that nationally, only 34% of all college students complete their undergraduate degrees within four years and the average time needed for a graduate or doctoral degree is 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 office said. “Instead, these burdensome restrictions will discourage international students from applying to U.S institutions, increase deportation risks and create costly administrative hurdles.”
In their letter, Bonta and the multistate coalition argued the proposed rule violates federal law and will have a chilling effect on international student applications, not only impacting state economies and university budgets but also decreasing the quality of education provided to American students. As international students typically pay full-tuition, the coalition pointed out that the rule would reduce tuition revenues that help fund programs for in-state 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 office said.