The draft rules would cap student visas at four years. After that, students would need to apply for an extension, whereas before they could remain in the United States for the whole length of their studies.

For foreign journalists, the proposal would shrink the maximum stay to 240 days – roughly eight months – with the option of similar extensions. The current limit allows journalists to stay up to five years.

A coalition of unions that represent universities, teachers and journalists sued to block the restrictions, arguing they would harm education and press freedom.

Judge Saylor put the new rules on hold and set a further hearing for Oct. 2. In his accompanying memo he said he was skeptical that the limits on students and journalists were justified.

The United States welcomed more than 1.1 million international students in the 2023‑24 academic year, the highest number of any country, highlighting how many people could be affected if the rules change.