Unions Sue to Block New US Visa Time Limits for Students, Journalists

A coalition of unions and advocacy groups sued the federal government on August 18, 2026, in an effort to block new Department of Homeland Security regulations that would impose fixed time limits on the stays of international students, exchange visitors, and foreign journalists in the United States. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenges rules set to take effect on September 15 that would replace the current "duration of status" model for these visa categories with specific admission periods.

Under the new DHS regulations, F visas for international students and J visas for exchange visitors would generally be limited to a maximum of four years. I visas for foreign media workers would face a fixed admission period of up to 240 days, while Chinese journalists, excluding those with Hong Kong or Macau SAR passports, would be limited to a 90-day period. Visa holders needing to stay beyond their authorized time would be required to apply to DHS for an extension or leave the country to seek readmission.

The coalition, which includes the NewsGuild-CWA, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Presidents Alliance on Higher...