The Trump administration will begin revoking visas for Chinese students in the United States who have connections to the Chinese Communist Party or are studying in fields considered sensitive to national security. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move Wednesday, May 28, describing it as part of an effort to “enhance scrutiny” of Chinese nationals amid broader immigration and security reforms.
Rubio also instructed U.S. embassies to temporarily halt student and exchange visa interviews, citing concerns about ideological influence and foreign surveillance. The Department of Homeland Security is working with the State Department to implement the changes.
How many students could the policy affect?
More than 277,000 Chinese students are currently enrolled in U.S. universities, making up roughly one-quarter of the total international student population. Many are pursuing degrees in science, engineering and technology fields, which the U.S. government has flagged as vulnerable to intellectual property theft.
It remains unclear how officials will determine individual students’ political affiliations or what constitutes a “critical” academic field. Rubio did not provide a timeline for when revocations will begin.
How is China responding?
China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move as “unreasonable and discriminatory,” warning it will damage U.S.-China educational exchanges and further strain diplomatic relations. Beijing said the decision was politically motivated and undermines the United States’ claims of openness and academic freedom.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, said the city is ready to welcome students who feel targeted by the new U.S. policy.
What impact could visa limits have on US universities?
University leaders and policy experts warn the move could harm American higher education.
“Shutting the door on Chinese students doesn’t just betray our values — it weakens our leadership in science, technology and innovation,” said Gary Locke, former U.S. ambassador to China and current chair of the Chinese American nonprofit Committee of 100.
International students, who typically pay full tuition, are also a vital source of revenue for many colleges and universities. The new visa restrictions follow the Trump administration’s separate attempt to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, a move that was temporarily halted by a federal judge.
