WASHINGTON, May 29(Alliance News): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that the United States will begin “aggressively” revoking the visas of Chinese students, particularly those linked to the Chinese Communist Party or pursuing studies in sensitive academic and technological fields.
The move, if broadly implemented, could significantly affect the flow of students from China — one of the largest groups of international enrollees in American universities — and deal a financial blow to US academic institutions that rely heavily on international tuition revenue. It may also impact the domestic tech workforce, which has long benefited from skilled Chinese graduates.
Rubio stated that the State Department will collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to enhance visa scrutiny for all current and future applicants from China and Hong Kong. “This action is necessary to protect our national interests,” Rubio emphasized in a written statement.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has yet to issue a formal response. However, Beijing has previously vowed to protect the rights of its students abroad, especially after the Trump administration moved to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students — a decision temporarily blocked by a US judge.
The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance on immigration and international student policy, aligning these visa changes with its broader agenda. Chinese students, who once numbered around 370,000 in the US in 2019, had already dropped to approximately 277,000 in 2024 due to strained US-China relations and the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chinese students have historically been drawn to American universities due to their global academic standing and openness, and many have stayed to contribute to the US research and innovation landscape. The administration’s latest decision comes amid heightened concern over alleged espionage and technology transfer activities at American institutions.
Universities with perceived ties to China — such as Harvard, which has been under increased scrutiny — are also facing pressure. The Trump-era crackdown had previously led to the closure of Confucius Institutes across the US, amid allegations they were used for Chinese propaganda and intelligence activities.
International education advocates warn that sweeping bans or mass revocations could undermine America’s standing as a global leader in higher education and innovation.
“While concerns over espionage are valid, broad revocations risk harming innocent students and damaging US academic leadership,” said Yaqiu Wang, a human rights researcher who herself studied in the US.
The announcement comes amid a broader deterioration in US-China relations, marked by trade tensions, military rivalries, and geopolitical disputes, fueling what many observers describe as a new Cold War dynamic.
