US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration planned to “aggressively” revoke visas for Chinese students. This action is part of a broader strategy to limit foreign students studying in the US.
This decision followed Rubio’s directive to US embassies globally to halt new student visa interview scheduling, heightening the scrutiny of applicants’ social media activities. Rubio indicated that the State Department would collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke visas for Chinese students, especially those connected to the Chinese Communist Party or pursuing studies in critical fields. The US aims to revise visa application criteria for individuals from China and Hong Kong to increase scrutiny.
Concerns about potential espionage by Chinese students, especially in STEM fields, have been growing among the FBI and security officials for nearly a decade. The “China Initiative,” previously established to address Chinese espionage, faced criticism for racial profiling and was subsequently shut down. Nonetheless, scrutiny persists.
For the 2023-24 academic year, nearly 280,000 Chinese students were enrolled in US institutions, accounting for over a quarter of all foreign students. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed objections, stating these actions are ideological and discriminatory, damaging the US’s international image and credibility.
These measures contribute to a broader crackdown affecting international students, causing concern among those already studying in the US. The restrictions align with President Trump’s critique of elite universities for their handling of antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian protests during Israel’s conflict in Gaza. Critics argue that these measures threaten free speech and academic freedom.
Rubio also announced forthcoming visa restrictions on foreign officials accused of actions against US citizens regarding their social media posts. He stressed that those undermining Americans’ rights should not be granted entry to the US. The specifics of affected officials or policy implementations remain unclear, but Rubio criticized foreign censorship actions against US tech companies and citizens. The Trump administration, alongside Vice President JD Vance and Rubio, has censured international leaders for perceived free speech infringements. Republican lawmakers have also criticized foreign regulations on social media platforms, such as the EU’s Digital Services Act and the UK’s Online Safety Act.
(Additional reporting by Joe Leahy in Beijing)
