A federal judge in Boston has blocked a new rule from the Trump administration that would have limited the amount of time foreign students and journalists could stay in the United States without applying for visa extensions. Judge F Dennis Saylor ruled in favor of a group of unions and higher education advocates just before the rule was set to take effect. He criticized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for basing the rule on "exceptionally weak" reasons, such as national security and preventing visa fraud, without properly considering the impact of the policy or exploring less restrictive alternatives. DHS general counsel James Percival criticized the ruling, claiming it would allow abuse of the immigration system. He suggested that individuals could come to the U.S. on student visas, take one class per semester, and remain for many years. However, Judge Saylor, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, argued that the new rule would disrupt a long-standing system that has allowed foreign students and researchers to stay in the U.S. for the "duration of status" — meaning as long as they are enrolled in a program or working in a related field. This system has supported millions of international students and researchers, contributing to major advancements in science, medicine, and technology, as well as economic growth. Under the proposed rule, F visas for international students and J visas for cultural exchange visitors would be limited to a maximum of four years, while I visas for journalists would be capped at 240 days. Currently, over 1.6 million people hold F visas, and more than 500,000 have J visas. Prestigious universities such as MIT and Harvard rely heavily on international students, particularly at the graduate level. Judge Saylor warned that the new rule would likely lead to significant financial losses for universities and a drop in enrollment, causing "catastrophic" damage to higher education and the U.S. economy. Miriam Feldblum, a leader of one of the groups challenging the rule, said the court's decision helps protect the existing system that allows universities to attract and retain global talent. While the legal battle continues, the ruling ensures that the current system remains in place, preserving the benefits it has provided to both American institutions and the broader economy.