“US says it will start revoking visas for Chinese students”
In a major escalation of U.S.-China tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the United States will begin “aggressively” revoking visas of Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or studying in sensitive research fields.
The policy, if broadly implemented, could significantly affect the approximately 277,000 Chinese students currently enrolled in American universities. These students represent not only a significant source of revenue for higher education institutions, but also a vital pipeline of talent for U.S. research and technology sectors.
Rubio’s announcement follows growing bipartisan concern in Washington over Chinese influence and espionage within American academic institutions. In a statement, Rubio said the State Department would collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to enhance scrutiny and revise visa criteria for all future applicants from China and Hong Kong.
China’s foreign ministry responded swiftly, lodging formal protests with Washington and condemning the decision. Chinese students with pending or current university placements in the U.S. expressed dismay over the crackdown. The Chinese government reiterated its commitment to “firmly safeguard” the rights of its students abroad.
This move echoes earlier Trump-era initiatives aimed at severing links between U.S. academia and Chinese state influence, including the closure of Confucius Institutes and scrutiny of federally funded research projects. During his first administration, President Trump and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Chinese cultural centers of spreading propaganda and facilitating espionage on U.S. campuses.
The visa crackdown comes amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China, often referred to as a “new Cold War.” American lawmakers and intelligence agencies have increasingly warned that Beijing is exploiting the openness of U.S. academic institutions to bypass export controls, steal intellectual property, and influence American research.
While advocates of the policy cite national security as a pressing concern, critics warn of unintended consequences. Yaqiu Wang, a U.S.-based human rights researcher originally from China, acknowledged the real risks of espionage but called Rubio’s blanket approach “deeply concerning.” She noted such policies could harm innocent students and jeopardize the United States’ reputation as a global leader in scientific and academic freedom.
Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce indicates that international students—of which China and India comprise over half—contributed more than $50 billion to the American economy in 2023. However, enrollment from China has declined in recent years, driven by pandemic-related travel restrictions, growing political tension, and increased visa scrutiny.
Universities across the United States are now grappling with the potential fallout. Harvard University, in particular, was recently cited by federal officials for alleged ties to Chinese entities and temporarily lost its ability to enroll new foreign students—a decision currently paused by court intervention.
The State Department has not clarified how many students will be affected by the new policy or when revocations will begin. However, internal communications obtained by Reuters suggest the administration has also paused new appointments for all foreign student and exchange visitor visas.
As the Biden-Trump policy overlap in immigration and national security grows, this move represents another effort by the Trump administration to assert a hardline stance on Chinese influence in American institutions—raising questions about academic freedom, national security, and the future of U.S.-China educational exchange.
DailyClout will continue to monitor developments as this policy unfolds and its broader implications become clearer.
Source article posted here: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rubio-says-us-will-start-revoking-visas-chinese-students-2025-05-28/
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