The Trump administration is planning a new four-year time limit for foreign students in the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday.

According to the release, a proposed rule was unveiled by the administration on Wednesday “that, if finalized, would limit the length of time certain visa holders – including foreign students– are allowed to stay in the United States.” 

“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a spokesperson for the DHS said in the release.

“This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history,” the spokesperson added.

The statement also says that the U.S. government, via the proposed rule, would limit foreign students’ time allowed in the country to four years or less. 

“Since 1978, foreign students (F visa holders) have been admitted into the U.S. for an unspecified period known as ‘duration of status.’ Unlike other visas issued, those with a ‘duration of status’ designation are allowed to remain in the U.S. for an indefinite amount of time without further screening and vetting,” the DHS said in its press release.

“In turn, foreign students have taken advantage of U.S. generosity and have become ‘forever’ students, perpetually enrolled in higher education courses to remain in the U.S.,” the DHS added.

Throughout the first few months of his administration, President Trump and his administration have intensely cracked down on immigration.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last Thursday that the administration was pausing all issuance of worker visas for foreign truck drivers.

“Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio said on the social platform X.