US drastically cuts foreign journalist visas, drawing criticism and China's warning

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced a significant change to its visa policy for foreign journalists. Effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, the "duration of status" system, which allowed journalists to stay as long as they met eligibility requirements, will be replaced with fixed visa terms. This move shortens visas to a maximum of 240 days, with a particularly stringent 90-day limit for Chinese journalists, excluding those from Hong Kong and Macao. The agency claims the change is necessary for better vetting of visa holders, a measure also extending to students and other foreign visitors. However, press freedom advocates and organizations have strongly condemned the decision. Reporters Without Borders expressed outrage, stating the new policy "destroys international journalists' ability to report from the U.S." and makes it difficult for international outlets to operate. The Committee to Protect Journalists labeled the policy as "the behavior of a backsliding democracy." The shorter visa terms raise concerns about press freedom in the United States and could exacerbate tensions between Washington and Beijing, despite stated intentions to stabilize bilateral ties. The rule's implementation comes amid President Donald Trump's ongoing criticism of news organizations and tightened immigration policies. While foreign journalists are not considered immigrants, the fixed visa periods could compel them to avoid criticizing the administration to ensure visa renewal. Congress has the rare ability to reject the rule, but its passage is considered highly likely.

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We are outraged that the Trump administration has cruelly limited the duration of visas for foreign journalists from a period of up to five years to a fixed eight months.