The United States government has announced plans to aggressively revoke visas of Chinese students, intensifying the ongoing scrutiny of foreign nationals studying in the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that this move targets students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those enrolled in critical fields of study.
This initiative represents a continuation of efforts started during the Trump administration aimed at bolstering national security by closely monitoring foreign students. Rubio emphasized that visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong will face heightened examination in the future.
In 2024, China was the second-largest country of origin for international students in the US, trailing only India. According to the Institute of International Education, over 1.1 million foreign students enrolled in US institutions during the 2023-2024 academic year, with Chinese and Indian students accounting for about half. International students overall make up approximately 5.9% of the US higher education population.
The number of Chinese students in the US has declined by about 4% in 2024 to roughly 277,000, amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The FBI has warned of attempts by China to exploit the openness of American universities for intelligence purposes.
This announcement followed Rubio's directive to US embassies to halt scheduling student visa interviews temporarily while the administration further evaluates applicants' social media profiles as part of the vetting process.
President Donald Trump has also voiced support for restricting foreign student enrollment at elite universities, suggesting limits such as a 15% cap at institutions like Harvard to safeguard American educational interests.
Despite these measures, industry leaders emphasize the value of international talent. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, remarked that the administration remains supportive of students capable of contributing positively to innovation and economic growth in the US.
In addition to restricting student visas, the State Department has introduced visa limitations for foreign officials and individuals involved in censoring Americans or targeting US technology firms, underscoring broader immigration and security concerns.
China’s Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment on the recent policy developments.
