A federal judge has blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from enforcing new visa restrictions aimed at foreign students and journalists, ruling that the changes could severely harm the U.S. higher education system and economy. The ruling came on September 14 from U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, who granted a preliminary injunction against the department’s rule while legal challenges proceed.

The DHS rule, finalized in July, would have limited the duration of F, J, and I visas—issued respectively to students, exchange visitors, and journalists—to the length of their educational or professional program, with a maximum stay of four years for students and exchange visitors. Journalists holding “I” visas would have faced a 240-day maximum stay, with Chinese journalists restricted to 90 days. Previously, visa holders were permitted to remain in the United States for the full length of their studies or assignments without such caps.

Officials from the Trump administration justified the rule by citing a “significant increase” in these visa categories, which they argued challenged the department’s ability to monitor and manage nonimmigrant populations. DHS contended the restrictions were necessary to prevent misuse and exploitation of visa programs.

In response, a coalition representing educational institutions and labor organizations, including the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, and the American Federation of Teachers, filed suit in August. They argued DHS failed to adequately address concerns raised from more than 20,000 public comments, including issues related to First Amendment protections for journalists and researchers.

Judge Saylor sharply criticized the department’s rationale, describing it as “exceptionally weak” and calling the national security explanation “bordering on the absurd.” The judge highlighted that the rule’s implementation would grant DHS officials broad, discretionary authority to deny visa extensions without clear standards or appeals processes, potentially ending scholars’ or journalists’ activities arbitrarily. Saylor warned that such discretion could be misused to target individuals or institutions based on their viewpoints or research.

DHS General Counsel James Percival defended the rule, accusing the judge of allowing what he called rampant abuse of student visas, noting the potential for students to remain in the country indefinitely by taking minimal coursework.

In a joint statement issued following the ruling, Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said the injunction protects the longstanding system that enables American colleges and universities to attract and retain international talent. The case will continue as both sides prepare for further proceedings.