DHS Proposes Shorter Visa Duration for Students
BU IN DC
Dwayne Minier of Metropolitan College taught a virtual cooking class for the Massachusetts Society, a Washington-based organization for Massachusetts enthusiasts, on September 23.
Robert Pinsky of the College of Arts & Sciences spoke at the 2020 National Book Festival on September 27.
DHS PROPOSES SHORTER VISA DURATION FOR STUDENTS
Last week, the Trump Administration proposed new regulations that would place a four year time limit on the visas used by students and postdoctoral associates. The proposed rule issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would replace the current “duration of status” policy which allows international scholars to remain in the United States for the entirety of their course of study. Under the proposed regulation, students would be required to apply for additional time in the United States if they take longer than four years to complete their studies. Universities quickly expressed significant opposition to the proposal, and thousands of letters urging the Administration to reverse course have already been submitted to the rulemaking portal. Public comments are due by October 26.
BUZZ BITS…
- Last night, House Democrats passed an updated version of a pandemic relief bill first passed in May. However, Senate Republicans have declined to consider the legislation, which would provide $7 billion for private universities and their students, $4.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $2.9 billion for the National Science Foundation, and $135 million each for the National Endowments for the Humanities and the Arts.
- Republican members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee sent letters to the National Institutes of Health and the Federal Bureau of Investigation asking how the agencies are combating foreign influence in federal biomedical research. The letters highlight the importance of international scientific collaboration, but express concern about the potential theft of U.S. research.
- In a report released Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee’s Future of Defense Task Force recommends the U.S. Department of Defense invest at least one percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product in basic research in order to ensure the nation’s readiness to combat emerging global threats.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Office of Research is hosting its annual open house on October 8 at 10 am. This year’s virtual event will focus on “Advancing Research in Times of Change.” Professors Hyeouk Chris Hahm (SSW), Julia Raifman (SPH), and Christopher Schmitt (CAS) will discuss how they are conducting research, finding funding, and managing teams during uncertain times. Next, attendees will meet with the University’s research support offices via Zoom office hours. Researchers can speak with the staff who help investigators secure and manage awards, conduct research ethically, and bring research to the attention of the public, industry partners, and policymakers.
A Note to Our Readers: Due to the Congressional District Work Period, Beltway BUzz will pause regular publishing until there is Washington news to share. Please continue to visit our web site and follow us on Twitter in the meantime.