The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday called on US President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw newly proposed changes that would limit the duration of journalist visas, warning the policy risks undermining press freedom.

Under current regulations, foreign media representatives are admitted for the “duration of status” (D/S), meaning they may remain in the US as long as they continue working for the same employer in the same medium and comply with the law, without filing periodic applications for extension. The new proposal would replace that open-ended model with fixed admission periods of 240 days for most journalists and 90 days for Chinese nationals, requiring them to apply for renewals tied to the length of their assignments.

CPJ cautioned that the shorter renewal cycle could create “a framework for possible editorial censorship in which the Trump administration can trade access for compliance in reporting.” The organization stressed that foreign correspondents “provide invaluable insights” and that restricting their work in the US would deprive audiences of important perspectives on American politics and society.

The proposed I visa limits are part of a wider DHS rule that would eliminate D/S for several categories, including F visas for international students and J visas for cultural exchange participants. CPJ noted that J visas have been commonly used by employees of the US Agency for Global Media.

Instead of admission tied to ongoing program compliance, the rule would impose fixed terms. Students and exchange visitors could receive up to four years, with some nationalities capped at two, while journalists would face much shorter periods. Any extension would require filing with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS has opened the proposal for public comment until September 29.