U.S. Plans Aggressive Visa Revocations for Chinese Students

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) — The United States will revoke visas for Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday. The decision, part of a new policy under President Trump, aims to tackle concerns over national security and foreign influence in American education.

According to Rubio, the U.S. State Department will collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to implement this initiative. The plan specifically targets students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and those enrolled in critical fields of study. The statement outlined, ‘We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong.’

China remains the second largest source of international students in the U.S., contributing about 270,000 students during the 2023-2024 school year. Recent tensions between Washington and Beijing have been exacerbated by rising trade disputes and national security concerns.

The announcement follows calls from U.S. House Republicans advocating for stricter oversight of educational partnerships between U.S. and Chinese institutions. Congressman John Moolenaar stated that such connections may pose a risk to U.S. technological advancements.

This policy shift coincides with an increase in scrutiny surrounding international students, particularly those participating in political advocacy or protests regarding issues like the situation in Palestine. Many students fear repercussions for their involvement in such movements.

On Tuesday, the White House temporarily suspended processing visas for foreign students until further notice and is expanding social media vetting for all applications. This decision reflects the administration’s commitment to tightening immigration policies and maintaining national security.

Concerns have been raised about the implications of these policies on international student enrollment and education in the U.S. Many worry it could deter prospective students from choosing American schools.

As this situation develops, the Chinese Embassy in Washington has yet to respond to these announcements, leaving many international students anxious about their future in the U.S.