FILIPINOS who want to finish a four-year course in the US will be adversely affected if a proposal from the United States Department of Homeland Security that seeks to limit the stay of international students is adopted.

Under the proposal, student visas will only be good for two years.

The proposed rule seeks to penalize countries with an overstay rate of over 10 percent. In 2019, Filipino students had an overstay rate of 13.28 percent.

If passed, the rule would affect Filipinos planning to finish four-year degrees in the US since it cuts the guaranteed stay by half. The current rule states that students can stay for the duration of their program.

The proposal also states that Filipino students seeking to finish their four-year degree should apply for an extension, which would entail extra costs.

Stanford University strongly opposed the proposal because it would affect students and scholars holding F (academic students) or J (foreign exchange visitors) visas.

“The proposed rule creates additional stress and uncertainty for international students, scholars and their families, and for all who dream of pursuing their education in the United States, now and in the future,” Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne said.

However, Homeland Security said the proposal is “critical in improving program oversight mechanisms; preventing foreign adversaries from exploiting the country’s education environment; and properly enforcing and strengthening U.S. immigration laws.”

According to data from the Institute of International Education, there were 3,320 Filipino students studying in the US in 2019.