NewsGuild-CWA Fights DHS Rule Cutting Journalist Visas

Last month, NewsGuild-CWA called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw its proposed rule that would change the Media (I) visa program for foreign journalists who work in the United States. The proposed change would decrease the time journalists can stay in the country from five years to just 240 days, making the job nearly impossible. This change would also increase the chance of retaliatory restrictions from other countries who may likewise restrict American journalists' ability to gather news for American audiences.

“The United States is supposed to be a beacon for a free press, and we should openly welcome all foreign journalists to see what an active, independent press looks like,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “The latest proposed rules by DHS are a direct attack on press freedom and would greatly limit the number of foreign journalists working inside the U.S. and sharing news around the world.”

More than 700 NewsGuild-CWA supporters submitted comments in defense of international journalists and opposing the rule change. DHS is now reviewing more than 21,000 comments submitted for their proposed rule, which also would impact academic workers. A final rule could take months to be established and will likely be challenged in court.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.