More than 30 organizations have signed a letter initiated by the SPJ and the Foreign Press Association asking Congress to act on the proposed changes to visas for foreign journalists and international students.
The letter noted the proposed changes tarnish the image of the United States as a global beacon of press freedom. The changes would also create uncertainty for foreign news agencies looking to cover the United States. The visa valid duration is 240 days, and while the visas may be renewed – at $420 for each renewal – there are no guarantees the renewal will be approved. The letter noted this limited time creates instability for journalists and their families seeking to establish themselves in the United States, including signing a housing lease or registering children in school.
A major concern is that the visa renewal process may be used against journalists whose reporting may run afoul of the government. This rule would put the United States on par with Russia, China and Hong Kong who have all denied visa renewals to remove journalists from their territories.
The SPJ International Community has been on top of this issue. You can see updates and more detailed discussions at the SPJ IC website.
Specifically the groups called on Congress to:
Block this rule before it takes effect on September 15. Members may introduce a joint resolution of disapproval, and they can press DHS directly through oversight and appropriations.
Unless and until Congress acts, DHS must publish plain-language guidance at least three weeks before the rule takes effect. That guidance must outline the eligibility criteria it will apply, the evidence it expects, and the procedures for both initial applications and extensions.
Insulate issuance decisions from politics and from delay. Insulation from politics means published standards, stated reasons for any denial, and a route to speedy review. Insulation from delay matters equally, because an extension request left unanswered for months achieves what an outright refusal could not survive public scrutiny for doing.
You can read the full SPJ statement and letter HERE.
Another group of unions and education organizations filed a lawsuit on Aug. 18 challenging the visa changes. The focus of this group was on the limitations set on international students.
The complaint argues that the final rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act because DHS failed to adequately assess its costs and benefits, meaningfully respond to public comments, consider less burdensome alternatives, or justify the rule based on its stated objectives. It also alleges that DHS provided an inadequate public comment period and exceeded its statutory authority.
International students are a major source of income for universities and a big source of revenue for local jurisdictions. The National Association of International Educators (NAFSA) released a survey on Aug. 11 that showed changes in student visa laws will remove about $3.4 billion from the US economy and cost more than 39,000 jobs.
That kind of loss certainly should draw some press coverage, especially in places like Eugene, OR and Ann Arbor, Mich.
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