The NewsGuild of New York denounces DHS restrictions on foreign press visas

The NewsGuild of New York, representing nearly 4,000 media professionals and journalists, stands with our colleagues at The NewsGuild-CWA, and at news organizations and journalism advocacy groups across the world in opposition to the proposal by the United States’ Department of Homeland Security to limit the duration of “I Visas” to 240 days.

Foreign correspondents are often assigned to cover the United States for several years, allowing them to develop a deep understanding of their subject matter. Limiting their stays will adversely affect their ability to provide meaningful coverage and reach critical audiences, counter to this nation's commitment to our First Amendment. 

Such a restriction needlessly hampers the ability of foreign-born journalists to perform their jobs and threatens the freedom of the press in the United States. On behalf of our membership, and recognizing the vital importance of safeguarding our free press, we ask DHS to withdraw its proposed rule changes.