The head of New York’s state university system has sent a letter to the Trump administration over proposed new limitations to student visas.
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras told federal officials the changes would create unnecessary and destructive roadblocks to higher education.
The Department of Homeland Security wants to shorten the amount of time international students can stay in the U.S. to a maximum of four years, instead of the duration of their full course of study.
There are more than 20,000 international students enrolled at state schools in New York. Malatras says the rule change would likely prevent students from completing their studies and seeking local employment after earning their degrees.
He says the proposal risks more than $420 million in tuition and revenue that SUNY schools rely on. Malatras says it would damage local economies where the schools are based.
