(WASHINGTON)–The Trump administration’s decision to change a visa rule regarding foreign journalists, students, and exchange visitors in the United States poses grave threats to free expression, press freedom, and international academic exchange, PEN America said today.
The Department of Homeland Security rule replaces the current “duration of status” system with visa terms of 240 days for most foreign journalists, and 90 days for Chinese reporters. Students and exchange visitors would face admission periods of four years, leaving the extension process subject to the discretion of immigration agents.
“For an administration searching for novel ways to undermine a free press, these changes create a new mechanism that could pressure or silence foreign journalists for their reporting,” said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program manager at PEN America. “Independent journalism depends on reporters being able to cover stories without fear that immigration officials will use visa renewals as leverage. The administration should reverse this policy, but at a minimum, it must explain how it will ensure that journalists’ ability to report from the United States is never conditioned on the government’s approval of their reporting.”
“This change to how long international students can stay in the United States and how easily they can change majors or institutions is a major blow to the higher education sector and an attack on the right to learn. Creating more barriers for international students to study here will have detrimental and far-reaching effects on the unhampered intellectual and cultural exchange that is the bedrock of higher education in this country,” said Kristen Shahverdian, higher education and free expression programs director at PEN America.
The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 17, taking effect 60 days later. The change marks another step in the administration’s broader campaign to undermine press freedom by targeting journalists and news organizations through legal threats, access restrictions, investigations, and other government pressure.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Malka Margolies, [email protected], 718-530-3582