Maryland AG Joins Coalition Challenging Visa Limits for International Students

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a group of state attorneys general in filing a legal brief that challenges a Trump administration rule that would limit international students to a fixed four-year visa period. The coalition is urging a federal court in Massachusetts to block the rule while ongoing litigation proceeds. For more than four decades, federal regulations have permitted international students and academic exchange participants to hold visas valid for the “duration of status,” meaning their visas remained active as long as they were pursuing their degree programs, medical residencies, or other academic pursuits.

The amicus brief contends that the newly proposed rigid four-year visa limit, which is subject to the administration’s discretion for extensions, could significantly disrupt international students and American institutions of higher education. The coalition argues that this change could create chaos for graduate education and academic research, ultimately jeopardizing the economic growth, stability, and innovation within the participating states. International students contribute not only to the academic environment with their diverse perspectives and skills but also financially through tuition and fees, which support educational programs and financial aid for domestic students. Maryland’s public universities, such as the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, are expected to experience negative consequences, including potential decreases in graduate student enrollment, reduced tuition income, loss of academic talent, disruptions to vital research, and fewer educational and research opportunities for the broader university communities.

The brief highlights that the durations of many academic programs, particularly at the graduate and doctoral levels, frequently exceed the administration’s proposed four-year cap. Data from 2024 indicates that the average time to complete graduate or doctoral studies nationally is 7.2 years from the start of graduate school, and 5.7 years from the commencement of a doctoral program itself. Without the assurance that they can complete their education and training, prospective international students may be deterred from choosing the United States for their studies. This potential exodus of international scholars could diminish the richness of academic discourse and hinder the cutting-edge research that benefits both universities and the wider economy.

The coalition filing the brief includes the attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin, in addition to Maryland.

The implications of this rule extend beyond the academic realm. International students are significant contributors to local economies through their spending on housing, food, and other services. A reduction in their numbers could lead to decreased economic activity in college towns and surrounding areas. Furthermore, many international students pursue careers in critical fields after graduation, contributing to innovation and the workforce. The proposed visa limitations could impede the United States’ ability to attract and retain top global talent, potentially impacting advancements in science, technology, and other vital sectors.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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