[UPDATED 15.09.2026] On 18 August, The NewsGuild-CWA, an affiliate of the Worldwide Federation of Journalists (IFJ), filed a lawsuit, alongside with different organisations, difficult the Division of Homeland Safety’s choice to finish a long-standing visa framework affecting international journalists, worldwide college students and students working in the USA. The IFJ absolutely backs this authorized motion and joins The NewsGuild-CWA and the Nationwide Writers Union (NWU) in condemning the restrictions on journalists’ visas, which might hinder impartial reporting and stifle the protection of US affairs. On 14 September a choose halted the Division of Homeland Safety’s choice.
On 16 July, the Trump administration introduced plans to drastically scale back the period of visas for international college students, cultural trade guests and journalists. Beneath the brand new rules, international journalists’ visas – which at present can last as long as ten years – could be restricted to 240 days. For Chinese language journalists, these visas could be restricted to 90 days.
“Along with attacking worldwide college students and students, the Trump administration is once more attacking journalists by additionally shortening the period of I Visas, which assist the necessary work of worldwide journalists working in the USA. Our First Modification makes it clear that the USA is meant to be a champion of a free press, not an opponent,”said The NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss.
On 18 August, within the face of those restrictions, a coalition of unions and advocacy teams within the US sued the federal authorities, difficult the Division of Homeland Safety’s last rule, which ends the ‘period of standing’ framework for worldwide college students, trade guests, and representatives of international media. Beneath the brand new rule, the ‘period of standing’ system, which at present permits international journalists to work and reside within the US for so long as they proceed to satisfy the eligibility necessities, will likely be eradicated.
Schleuss concluded: “These rule modifications are simply one other try by this administration to relax reporting achieved by gifted journalists. This newest assault follows the assault of journalists by federal brokers on American streets, the defunding of public media, the unlawful dismantling of Voice of America and Radio Free Asia and the continued disrespect by the president. Our democracy is dependent upon journalism and journalism is dependent upon journalists of all stripes. We’re proud to face with different companions and battle these unlawful rule modifications meant to weaken our democracy.”
Nationwide Writers Union President Larry Goldbetter stated: “The Trump administration is proposing a rule change that will restrict journalists to a interval of 240 days, a drastic minimize from the ‘period of standing at present in place’. This shortened admission interval could topic journalists to stress concerning what they select to cowl and the views they specific. It’s one more try to muzzle journalists and the general public’s proper to know.”
IFJ Common Secretary Anthony Bellanger added: “The Trump administration is inserting an elevated administrative burden on international journalists searching for visas and visa renewals, with the intention of making new boundaries to impartial reporting within the US. These measures increase critical considerations about press freedom and journalists’ means to cowl US affairs with out undue interference. We assist the authorized motion taken by commerce unions, together with The NewsGuild-CWA, and are prepared to help them in difficult and countering these restrictions.”
UPDATE:On 14 september 2026 a federal choose issued a nationwide injunction, halting the Trump administration’s newest efforts to impose new restrictions on visas utilized by international journalists. The injunction halts the implementation of the brand new rule on visa whereas the case is heard in courtroom.
