A coalition of labor unions and advocacy groups has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. federal government, aiming to block a new rule that significantly limits the duration of visas for foreign students and journalists. The legal challenge, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Tuesday, argues that the revised regulations will have "catastrophic" consequences for American universities, international students, and scholars.

The Department of Homeland Security's new policy, scheduled to take effect on September 15, imposes fixed time limits on F visas for international students, J visas for cultural exchange programs, and I visas for media professionals. Previously, these visas were typically granted for the duration of a student's program or a journalist's employment. Under the new rule, student and exchange visas will be capped at four years. Journalist visas, which could previously extend for several years, will be limited to 240 days, with a shorter 90-day limit for Chinese nationals.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit contend that the restrictions will deter foreign nationals from coming to the United States, citing the "intolerable prospect of losing lawful immigration status partway through their studies." They warned that the changes would lead to lost opportunities for students, a decline in talent for educational institutions, and significant economic losses, as international education is a major U.S. export.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security dismissed the lawsuit as "performative," asserting that the administration is "cracking down on the rampant fraud" to ensure only genuine students receive visas. The spokesperson did not offer specific evidence to support claims of widespread fraud.

Leaders from involved unions voiced strong opposition to the rule. Jon Schleuss, president of the NewsGuild-CWA, characterized the policy as an "attack on journalists." Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, stated that the U.S. is "breaking the law for its own political purposes" and harming American interests by treating international students as "pawns."

The lawsuit highlights concerns that the shorter visa durations will disrupt academic progress and research for international students and scholars. Universities rely heavily on international enrollment, which contributes billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy. The new regulations could jeopardize these relationships and the flow of talent and knowledge.

Critics also point out that the fixed time limits may not align with the varying lengths of academic programs or journalistic assignments. This could force individuals to navigate complex and time-consuming extension processes, potentially impacting their ability to complete their work or studies within the allotted period.

This move by the Trump administration comes amid broader efforts to reform U.S. immigration policies. The administration has previously proposed changes to other visa programs, including H-1B visas for skilled workers, and has implemented stricter enforcement measures across various immigration categories.