Remember: Your Voice Counts

Imagine spending years working toward your degree, only to be told halfway through that your program is “too long,” you can’t transfer to a better school, or you only have 30 days to pack up your life and leave.

That’s not a bad dream—it’s what could happen if the proposed rule to replace “Duration of Status” becomes reality.

And here’s the truth: this rule isn’t just about technical visa language. It’s about whether you get to finish your education, move when life demands it, and build the future you came here for.

Your voice is the one thing standing between this proposal and your American Dream.

Why This Rule Matters

1. Program Length: A 4-Year Cap That Doesn’t Fit

• A bachelor’s degree plus OPT? Doesn’t fit.

• A doctorate program that averages 5–7 years? Doesn’t fit.

• And yet the government wants to force every student into a four-year box. That’s not accountability—it’s a bureaucratic time bomb waiting to derail real students’ lives.

2. Graduate Study Restrictions: Choices Eliminated

• Thinking about pivoting careers with an MBA after a first master’s? Not allowed.

• Need to transfer closer to family, to a safer community, or to a school with better resources? Too bad.

I’ve seen this firsthand. At my institution, students used to drive 50+ miles to class until we opened a campus closer to them. They transferred successfully and continued their studies. Under this rule, that simple, common-sense move would have been blocked.

3. Grace Period Reduction: Stress at the Worst Time
The proposal cuts the post-graduation grace period from 60 days to 30. That’s 30 fewer days to find housing, book flights, ship belongings, or line up your next steps.

And it’s not just students who lose. Local businesses—from coffee shops to hotels—count on the “grace period tourism” bump when students take one last trip before leaving. Cutting it hurts students and communities.

What You Can Do (Today)

Here’s the part most people don’t realize: rules aren’t final until the public has spoken. And the government is legally required to read and review your comments.

That means your story, your experience, and your voice matter—more than you think.

Here’s how to make it count:

1. Go to regulations.gov

2. In the search box, type ICEB-2025-0001

3. Click the proposed rule → hit Comment

4. Share your own story. Don’t copy a template. Write about how these changes would impact your education, your goals, your family, or your community.

The strongest comments are personal, specific, and real. Maybe you’re in a PhD program. Maybe you were planning to pursue a second master’s to transition into a leadership position with your company. Maybe you know what it feels like to scramble for housing or travel after graduation. Share that.

(The deadline to submit comments is September 29th.)

Final Word

This isn’t just about policy—it’s about people. It’s about whether international students get the fair shot they deserve to pursue their education and contribute fully to the U.S.

Don’t let this decision get made without your voice.

👉 Remember: Your Voice Counts.

Always on Your Side,

Dr. Josh