US varsities may lose out as country gets tougher with overstaying students

Immigration experts say such policies will divert international students towards other countries

Students travelling to US for higher studies will have a new set of concerns to keep track of as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to clamp down harder on violation of immigration status which could potentially drive international students towards more immigration friendly nations.

According to a USCIS policy memorandum issued last week, individuals who accrue more than 180 days of unlawful presence in a single stay before departing US can be barred from returning for a period of three to 10 years.

“USCIS is dedicated to our mission of ensuring the integrity of the immigration system.