China has strongly criticized the United States’ recent decision to revoke visas for certain Chinese students, labeling the measures as "unreasonable" and ideologically motivated. This development arises following an announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding stricter visa policies targeting Chinese nationals suspected of affiliations with the Chinese Communist Party or engaged in sensitive academic fields.
On Thursday, Beijing confirmed that it lodged formal protests with Washington over the visa cancellations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, "The US has unreasonably canceled Chinese students' visas under the pretext of ideology and national security. China firmly opposes this and has made formal representations to the US government."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recently appointed to his position, announced via social media that the United States would "aggressively" revoke visas in an expanding national security initiative. China currently represents the second-largest group of international students in the US, with over 270,000 Chinese nationals enrolled in American institutions during the 2023–2024 academic year—accounting for nearly 25% of all international students.
These visa revocations coincide with additional developments unsettling international student communities. The US recently suspended the scheduling of new visa interviews as it prepares to implement more rigorous screening procedures. These include expanded scrutiny of applicants’ social media activities. Critics argue that these measures reflect a broader strategy initiated during the Trump administration to reduce foreign student presence under national security concerns.
The recent visa enforcement also follows the administration’s controversial attempt to block Harvard University from admitting new international students temporarily, a move paused by a federal judge. Defending these steps, former President Trump asserted on Wednesday, "Harvard should limit international student enrollment to around 15%. I want to ensure foreign students are people who can love our country."
A growing number of international students, especially those from China, feel targeted by US policies. One Chinese graduate student, speaking anonymously, shared concerns: "We came here to learn and contribute, yet we are now perceived as threats." Universities, advocacy organizations, and immigration experts warn that such policies could undermine the United States’ reputation as a premier global education destination and deter top international talent from enrolling.
