[U.S. judge halts new rule restricting foreign student journalists] On September 14, local time, Judge Thaler of the U.S. Federal District Court in Boston issued a ruling to prevent the U.S. federal government from implementing a new rule. The rule would limit how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the United States without applying for an extension. This new regulation was originally scheduled to take effect today (September 15). Thaler said the Department of Homeland Security's rationale for the policy was "extremely weak." The agency has previously cited national security needs and preventing fraud in the visa program. But Thaler said the Department of Homeland Security failed to meet its legal obligations when formulating the policy — neither responding to concerns that the policy changes might raise nor considering less burdensome alternatives. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to a request for comment. According to this new regulation adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in July this year, the maximum validity period of F visas for international students and J visas that allow cultural exchange program visitors to work in the United States will be limited to four years; while the maximum validity period of journalists I visas, which are currently valid for several years, will be reduced to 240 days. It is understood that currently, there are about 1.6 million people holding F visas, and about 500,000 people holding J visas. Thaler pointed out that if the new regulations take effect, "the damage to the U.S. higher education system and the overall economy is likely to be catastrophic." (CCTV International News)