{"id":395585,"date":"2026-09-10T06:46:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T06:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/395585\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T06:46:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T06:46:22","slug":"international-students-stressed-outraged-over-new-visa-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/395585\/","title":{"rendered":"International students stressed, outraged over new visa restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem holds a DHS component meeting at DHS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., August 27, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)<\/p>\n

The Department of Homeland Security announced new student visa policies in July, one of which adds a hard deadline to how long international students can stay in the U.S.<\/p>\n

The change replaces the flexible \u201cDuration of Status\u201d policy, which allowed students to stay for the entire duration of their degree, with a strict, four-year maximum, \u201cAdmit Until Date.\u201d This puts jeopardizes international students who were hoping to take advantage of the Optional Practical Training program to get an extended visa that would allow them to work in the U.S after graduation.<\/p>\n

OPT is an extension to F1 visas, which permit students to enter the U.S. to pursue full-time academic studies. OPT gives students the opportunity to work for up to 12 months \u2014 or 24 months, if the job is STEM related \u2014 in their field of study after completing their degree.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to the new federal restrictions, the University of Miami has tightened authorizations for Curricular Practical Training, the process that allows international students to have internships, following a warning that government agencies will more closely monitor the program. Moving forward, fewer international students might be accepted into the program.<\/p>\n

New visa guidelines<\/p>\n

The final DHS rule<\/a> was published on July 16, 2026, but UM students were not immediately informed of the change.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The University did not respond to questions relating to why students were not told of the new federal policies sooner.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt caught me off guard,\u201d said Student A, who wishes to remain unnamed. \u201cThere was no news in the media about it. I never thought they would do this to international students.\u201d<\/p>\n

The updated nationwide guidelines will take effect on Sept. 15, less than a month after ISSS \u2014 UM\u2019s International Student and Scholar Services \u2014\u00a0 informed international students through email on Aug. 21 and 26.\u00a0<\/p>\n

International students will now have a strict four-year limit on their visas with a 30-day grace period \u2014 decreased from 60 days \u2014 to leave the U.S. after completing their academic program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

People who will need more than four years to finish their programs will have to apply for an Extension of Stay through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They are exempt if the regular length of the program is over four years, like architecture.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents admitted to academic programs whose normal length exceeds four years, such as Architecture and certain doctoral programs, are not automatically required to file an Extension of Stay (EoS) when they arrive in the United States,\u201d The University said in a statement to The Hurricane. \u201cThe program length reflected on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 is used to determine their authorized stay. Because individual circumstances can vary, students are encouraged to consult with ISSS regarding how the new regulations may apply to their specific situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

UM recommends students consult ISSS about their specific case.<\/p>\n

One of the new policies also states undergraduates cannot change majors or schools during their freshman year, while graduate students cannot change their program at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once they complete their programs, students can only move to higher-level education, meaning from a bachelor\u2019s to a master\u2019s, not the other way around.<\/p>\n

How UM students are impacted<\/p>\n

Every year, international students<\/a> make up 7% to 8% of the admitted class at UM, totaling more than 800 people. The updated guidelines affect every one of them, not only the ones arriving after September 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the impact on their lives, none of the half dozen international students interviewed by The Hurricane felt comfortable being named for fear of backlash from the current administration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just last month, a federal judge in California ruled that the Trump administration has unconstitutionally deported<\/a> students. UM students did not want to be named and risk their visas being revoked as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely changed my plans completely,\u201d said Student B. \u201cNow I plan to try and look for schools or employment opportunities in other countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

International students who exit the U.S. after Sept. 15 will receive an updated I-94 form at reentry that reflects the new AUD guidelines.<\/p>\n

Unless they apply before March 18, 2027, students seeking Optional Practical Training work permits after graduation will have to apply for an Extension of Stay. UM recommends applying for OPT 90 days before program completion, and as soon as someone is eligible.<\/p>\n

These new restrictions put a barrier on an already difficult process.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot many companies accept OPT; you\u2019d be auto-rejected a lot,\u201d said Student C. \u201cAnd you need that broad experience. It helps your resume.\u201d<\/p>\n

The consequences for traveling while OPT applications are pending are also still unknown.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there is only one application pending with [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] and not two, it is easier,\u201d said Kristin Pong\u00e9, the Associate Director of UM\u2019s International Student and Scholar Services, on an ISSS-hosted webinar. \u201cThere is always a certain risk associated with travel. Since this is very new and we haven\u2019t seen students travel since OPT is pending, I would caution against it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students\u2019 response<\/p>\n

On top of the national restrictions, UM received a \u201creminder\u201d from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program on Curriculum Practical Training eligibility on Aug. 12. International students are only authorized to do CPT if it is part of their Academic Bulletin, meaning every student must do it to complete their degree.<\/p>\n

ISSS has halted processing of CPT applications that are not necessary for degree completion until further notice. Everyone approved for a Fall 2026 program before this change will, however, be able to complete it.<\/p>\n

\u201cBased on this guidance and consultation with legal counsel, ISSS will process CPT authorization applications only when the off\u2011campus practical training is required for program completion as specified in the Academic Bulletin,\u201d according to an email international students received from the University on Aug. 21.<\/p>\n

The new nationwide rule, released in the Federal Register<\/a>, makes no mention of \u201csubstantial changes\u201d in CPT aside from the \u201cadmission and extension\u201d period. UM\u2019s decision was triggered, according to a statement to The Hurricane, by the Student and Visitor Exchange Program\u2019s indication that it would \u201cincrease its review of CPT applications.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, UM specified that the guidance issued is \u201cnot specific to Florida or The University of Miami.\u201d Regulations on CPT apply to all U.S. universities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s already been difficult to find an internship because of all the other policies that were changed in the last [two] years, but now the fact that it\u2019s legally impossible makes it a huge source of stress,\u201d said Student C, who wishes to remain unnamed.<\/p>\n

Banned from \u201cnon-required\u201d internships, international students fear they will be at a disadvantage moving forward if they manage to remain in the U.S. to work. While not necessarily required, internships can make someone\u2019s resume more competitive<\/a> and increase their chances<\/a> of getting a job.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re legally not allowed to have an internship in this country anymore, of course post-graduation employment becomes almost impossible to find here as a result,\u201d said Student D, who wishes to remain unnamed.<\/p>\n

Resources UM is offering<\/p>\n

During this uncertain time, UM is offering resources to help international students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe University of Miami recognizes that changes in federal immigration policy and guidance can create questions and additional stress for international students,\u201d said the University in a statement to The Hurricane. \u201cInternational Student and Scholar Services is providing individual advising appointments and informational webinars for students.\u201d<\/p>\n

As changes occur, UM is keeping its faculty informed as well so they can provide appropriate support to students. Student advisors<\/a> are available to all international students, alongside Cane Navigators.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe University is also sharing guidance with faculty members, advisors, and program directors who are helping students understand how the requirements may affect their academic programs,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

UM\u2019s ISSS website<\/a> also provides all relevant information on visa policy changes, including the past webinars. Students are advised by The University to contact ISSS at isss@miami.edu if they have any questions.<\/p>\n

Students who changed their major should request an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019 \u2014 documents issued by the U.S. government, proving a person has been admitted into a full-time academic program and can pay for it\u2014 from ISSS as soon as possible. Similarly, students who are expected to finish their programs later than originally expected, should apply for a Program Extension<\/a> through ISSS.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on the timing and individual circumstances, additional steps may be required to maintain an authorized stay in the United States,\u201d the University said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For any student having increased stress or anxiety, UM\u2019s Counseling Center<\/a> and well-being resources are available, including licensed psychologists and online resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ISSS also encourages students to look at DHS\u2019 Study in the States<\/a> for further information, and to \u201cstick to reliable resources.\u201d The University also says it will continue to update students and campus partners with important information.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anything is unclear, students are encouraged to contact their ISSS advisor directly for clarification and individualized guidance,\u201d The University said in a statement to The Hurricane. \u201cInformation regarding ISSS advising services, including advisor contact information for advising by telephone, email, or Zoom meeting, as well as the ISSS walk-in advising schedule are listed on the ISSS website.\u201d\u201cISSS is here to help. All of the processes are on our website,\u201d Pong\u00e9 said as she ended the Aug. 28 webinar on the new visa guidelines.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, international students feel like UM could work with other universities to push back on the new DHS regulations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know we are not the most legally challenging school, so we probably want to stay neutral,\u201d said student E, who wishes to remain unnamed. \u201cSo we\u2019re gonna hope other schools [legally] challenge, but I don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem holds a DHS component meeting at DHS Headquarters in Washington,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":395586,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[123,125,124],"class_list":["post-395585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-miami","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=395585"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395585\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/395586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=395585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=395585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=395585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}