News summary produced by Claude AI
The Department of Homeland Security announced a new policy drastically reducing visa durations for foreign journalists working in the United States. Under the current system, journalists have been permitted to remain and work in the country on a “duration of status” basis, provided they maintain eligibility requirements. The new rule replaces this with fixed-term visas of 240 days for most foreign journalists, with Chinese journalists receiving only 90-day visas, unless they hold documentation from Hong Kong or Macao.
Department officials stated the change is necessary to enhance vetting procedures for visa holders. However, press freedom organizations have strongly opposed the policy, arguing that the significantly shortened stays would substantially impair journalists’ capacity to establish themselves and conduct reporting within the United States. Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists both issued statements characterizing the measure as harmful to international press operations and inconsistent with democratic values.
The policy revision extends beyond journalists, affecting student visas and visitor visas as well, which will similarly transition from duration-of-status to fixed-term arrangements. The rule is set to take effect 60 days following its publication in the Federal Register. While Congress retains the authority to reject the rule, such action is exceptionally uncommon.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded to the announcement by characterizing the visa restrictions as discriminatory and indicated the government reserves the right to implement reciprocal measures. The particularly stringent 90-day limit for Chinese journalists reflects ongoing tensions between the two nations, despite statements from both leaders indicating an intention to stabilize bilateral relations. The policy echoes a similar approach attempted during the first Trump administration in 2020, which was withdrawn when President Joe Biden took office in 2021.