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US Judge Blocks Trump’s Restrictions on Foreign Student and Journalist Visas

A federal judge in Boston has blocked a rule from the Trump administration that would limit visa durations for foreign students and journalists, siding with unions and advocacy groups.

16 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: US Judge Blocks Trump’s Restrictions on Foreign Student and Journalist Visas — Archive photoPhoto: "The Times-Picayune" (New Orleans, Louisiana). · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

A US District Judge, F. Dennis Saylor, issued a ruling on Monday blocking the implementation of a new rule by the Trump administration that aimed to restrict the duration of stay for foreign students and journalists in the United States. This decision was made just one day before the new regulations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were set to take effect.

The court's ruling came in response to a coalition comprised of unions and advocacy groups focused on higher education, which opposed the new visa restrictions. Judge Saylor noted that the argument presented by DHS to justify the rules was based on what he described as 'exceptionally weak' reasoning.

According to various reports, the proposed policy sought to limit the duration of stay for student visa holders (F and J visas) to a maximum of four years, and for journalists on I visas, to a period of 240 days. This indicated a significant tightening of immigration policies concerning foreign nationals at educational institutions and within media sectors.

Judge Saylor's ruling did not delve into the specifics of the legal merits but highlighted procedural flaws surrounding the urgency of the rule's implementation. The judge postponed enforcement of the new regulations until further notice, calling for a new hearing in the following month to reassess the matter.

The decision has been characterized as a setback for the Trump administration, particularly in its efforts to impose stricter limits on immigration. The judge's remarks about the rationale for the rule reflect growing scrutiny surrounding national security claims often used by the administration to back immigration changes.

As the legal process continues, the implications of the ruling may influence other related policies within the administration. The coalition that initiated the challenge has expressed relief at the temporary halt, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the accessibility of educational and journalistic opportunities for international visitors.

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