‘These changes would deter talent from coming to the US’: Brown University urges DHS to scrap rule limiting student visa duration

Last month, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled a sweeping proposed regulation that could fundamentally reshape the experience of international students and scholars in the country. If enacted, the rule would replace the long-standing “duration of status” policy with fixed admission periods for F, J, and I visa holders, requiring students and scholars to periodically apply for extensions and undergo biometric screening. The proposal also introduces new restrictions on academic flexibility, including limits on changing programs, majors, or levels of study, particularly for graduate students. Brown University’s Office of Global Engagement submitted a formal comment to the DHS on September 29, 2025, urging the department to withdraw the regulation, warning of i