Washington, May 29, 2025: The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that the US government will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, specifically targeting those with affiliations to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in critical fields. This move intensifies the ongoing scrutiny of international students amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Rubio stated on social media platform X, "The US will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." This decision follows earlier measures from the current administration aimed at tightening visa policies on foreign nationals.
This is not the first instance of visa revocations directed at Chinese students. In 2020, the US government canceled thousands of visas of Chinese graduate students and researchers linked to military institutions, underscoring an ongoing national security concern.
International Student Demographics in the US
China contributes one of the largest cohorts of international students in American higher education. According to a report by the US State Department and the Institute of International Education, the 2023-2024 academic year saw a peak in international student enrollment in the US, reaching over 1.1 million students—a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Chinese students constitute the second-largest group, closely followed by Indian students.
Additional Visa Restrictions and Policy Moves
Further expanding visa restrictions, Secretary Rubio announced plans to impose new limitations on foreign officials and individuals who attempt to censor American citizens abroad. He condemned the issuance of arrest warrants for US residents based on their social media activities conducted on American soil, labeling such actions as "unacceptable."
Additionally, Rubio criticized foreign demands on US-based technology platforms to enforce global content moderation or censorship policies that extend beyond US jurisdiction.
Focus on Harvard University
The administration has also targeted Harvard University, proposing to cap its foreign student population at 15%. This move is part of a broader campaign that includes canceling approximately $100 million in contracts with the university and threatening to withdraw $3 billion in grant funding. The administration accuses Harvard of fostering an "unsafe" campus atmosphere for Jewish students, endorsing "pro-Hamas sympathies," and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies viewed as contentious.
This recent clampdown reflects the administration's broader agenda to restrict international influence within key academic institutions while addressing security and ideological concerns.
These developments mark a significant tightening of US immigration and educational policies, particularly affecting Chinese nationals and reflect ongoing geopolitical frictions between the US and China.
With inputs from the New York Times.
