Academic groups sue DHS over new four-year visa limit for foreign graduate students and postdocs

Groups representing universities and educators filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts against the Department of Homeland Security.

The suit challenges a new DHS rule that would require foreign graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to obtain a visa extension after four years in the United States, ending a prior practice that allowed them to stay for the full duration of their training.

Plaintiffs argue the rule was adopted without adequate public comment, violates the Administrative Procedure Act, and will reduce international enrollment, harming the U.S. economy and its scientific leadership.

The litigation seeks to block the policy and restore the previous flexibility for foreign scholars.