AFPC-USA urges Congress to block new restrictions on foreign journalist visas

The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) is deeply alarmed by the Trump administration's new rules that will drastically shorten the duration of visas for foreign journalists. We have previously called on the Department of Homeland Security to reverse this deeply flagrant attack on press freedom.

Under the new rules, foreign journalists on I-visas will be allowed to report from the United States for just 240 days. Any extension beyond that period will be granted solely at the discretion of the US government, creating a chilling effect and the risk that journalists will face retaliation for any coverage deemed unfavorable. The visa duration is even shorter for Chinese journalists, capped initially at 90 days. 

The new rules are set to take effect on September 15. AFPC-USA is now calling on members of Congress to stop the damaging new measures from going into force. They can introduce a joint resolution of disapproval or apply direct pressure on the DHS. If the new restrictions are allowed to go into force, the Trump administration will have dealt a body blow to America’s standing as a global bastion of free speech.