U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students With CCP Ties, Rubio Announces
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the State Department will begin revoking visas for Chinese students studying at American universities.
Rubio suggested in an X post that the visa revocations for students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be the priority.
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio wrote.
Congressional Report Cites Intensified Espionage Under Biden Administration
According to a report from The National Pulse, a Congressional investigation last October found that CCP espionage efforts in the United States intensified under the former Biden government.
Released by the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, the report concluded that “Beijing has continually encroached upon American sovereignty to spy, intimidate, and harass… defectors and American citizens.”
The findings add weight to growing concerns on Capitol Hill regarding the presence of Chinese nationals in U.S. academic institutions.
Lawmakers have warned that the increasing number of foreign students from China may pose a threat to national security, especially in sensitive fields like technology, defense, and artificial intelligence.
History of Espionage Allegations Tied to Chinese Students
Harassment, political influence operations, and corporate espionage have previously been linked to Chinese students in the U.S., further fueling the push for tighter scrutiny.
The visa crackdown is part of a broader effort to mitigate foreign influence in American higher education, particularly where it intersects with national security.
China Responds With Condemnation
JP reported that China’s foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the U.S. decision on Thursday and confirmed that Beijing had lodged formal protests with Washington.
Chinese students who had received offers from U.S. universities expressed frustration and anxiety about their academic futures, calling the visa revocations discriminatory and politically motivated.
The Chinese foreign ministry stated that it would “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its students overseas.
This echoes previous tensions during the Trump administration, when policies led to restrictions on Chinese student enrollment, including at top institutions like Harvard University.
Broader Context: Trade War and Economic Impact
The visa revocations come despite a recent pause in the U.S.-China trade dispute.
China has remained central to former President Donald Trump’s global trade war, which has disrupted financial markets, strained supply chains, and raised fears of a global economic slowdown.
Despite the national security concerns, international students contributed significantly to the U.S. economy.
In 2023, students from India and China—who together made up 54% of international enrollments—brought over $50 billion into the U.S., according to the Department of Commerce.
READ: Stephen Miller Slams China’s Trade Tactics: “Decades of Theft and Manipulation”