A federal judge has temporarily blocked a major immigration rule that could have affected thousands of international students attending universities in Houston.
The Department of Homeland Security’s new rule was set to take effect Tuesday. It would have changed how long certain international students and exchange visitors could remain in the United States while completing their programs.
A federal judge in Boston blocked the rule after advocacy groups filed a lawsuit, arguing the changes could negatively affect international students, higher education and the U.S. economy.
DHS has not responded to requests for comment. It is unclear whether the agency will appeal the decision.
Under the now-blocked rule, international students in the U.S. on F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas would have been allowed to remain in the country for a maximum of four years.
Students who needed additional time to complete their academic programs would have had to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension.
The rule also would have reduced the amount of time F-1 students have to leave the country after completing their programs. The current 60-day grace period would have been shortened to 30 days.
DHS said the changes were intended to increase federal oversight of international students and exchange visitors and prevent visa abuse.
The proposed changes could have had a significant impact on Houston, which is home to several universities with students from around the world.
The University of Houston has more than 5,000 international students enrolled, while Rice University has more than 2,200, according to university data.
University officials have been communicating with international students about the proposed changes.
The University of Houston’s International Student & Scholar Services Office said it has been “communicating regularly with our international students and scholars and providing resources to help them navigate this change and succeed while studying at the University of Houston.”
KPRC 2 also reached out to Rice University, Texas Southern University and the University of St. Thomas to learn what they are telling their international students about the rule and how many students at each campus could have been directly affected.
The judge’s decision means the rule will not take effect as scheduled while the legal challenge continues.
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