The current controversy in the immigration sector

One of the main purposes of the Trump administration has always been to reduce immigration. In the president’s view, the massive influx of immigrants is detrimental to the US and diminishes job opportunities for local workers.

In fact, the Trump government has modified multiple immigration policies that involve different processes such as political asylum, business immigration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), visas for international students, inter alia.

Since President Trump took office in 2017, he has implemented restrictions on immigration, both legal and illegal. However, these restrictions and requirements have undoubtedly increased even more since the arrival of the global Coronavirus pandemic to the North American territory.

Speaking specifically about the education sector, the Trump administration has attempted to reduce student immigration, which sparked a gigantic social controversy, not only among the American population, but among institutions, universities and colleges that benefit greatly from the presence of foreign students.

Let’s see some examples:

1. In July 2020, the Trump administration stated that foreign students should attend at least a portion of face-to-face classes during the fall, despite health risk posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic. If they did not comply with this order, they would have to leave the US or could face deportation proceedings.
   However, the government revoked this policy after several days of proposing it.
2. After this event, in September, the government proposed setting a fixed time period for student visas (two years with the possibility of extension) to prevent foreigners from residing in the country after completing their studies.
   According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), international students tend to take advantage of current benefits and stay in the US without legal documentation.

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Student groups protest against restrictions

After the Trump administration declared that student visas would have a fixed time period, dozens of activists, critics, immigrant rights advocates, international students and specialists raised their voices, stating that this restriction could prevent foreign talent from reaching the US, which would affect local economy in the long-term.

For instance, RICE University’s Student Association and the Office of International Students and Scholars plan to complain about fixed time period for foreign students, arguing that “applying for extensions could be time-consuming, disruptive and costly” and their request may be subject to denial.

These groups state: “We want the Department of Homeland Security to allow us to keep ‘Duration of Status’ because it serves the needs of scholars, academic institutions and international students.”

“Duration of Status” refers to foreign students obtaining visas without a fixed time period, which allows them to finish their studies and reside in the US without having to renew their residence permits.

Motion Law can guide you through your immigration journey

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.