US to Take Firm Action on Chinese Student Visas

This action is a response to mounting pressure on US universities to cut their ties with China. House Republicans recently called on Duke University to end ties with a Chinese university, saying the collaboration provided Chinese students with access to critical research funded by the United States.

TRUMP VS HARVARD

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has temporarily stopped Harvard University from enroling new international students, accusing the school of “coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party” through research partnerships. DHS also accused Harvard of training members of a Chinese paramilitary group

Rubio’s announcement came a day after the government paused visa interviews for new international students in anticipation of tighter scrutiny of applicants.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in the White House Oval Office, US President Donald Trump targeted foreign students. He said, “We don’t want to see shopping centres explode. We don’t want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I’ll tell you what, many of those students didn’t go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left.”

The actions of the Trump administration to impose restrictions on international students have been at the centre of controversy. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and attempted to deport students who participated in protests earlier this year. The administration also temporarily cancelled the legal status of thousands of international students before changing the rules on student visas.

Harvard is at the centre of this conflict. The university is home to over 27% of international students. Trump said the percentage should be lowered to 15%. “I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country,” he said in the Oval Office.

TIGHTER RULES FOR VISAS

The US government will also examine visa applicants’ social media accounts more frequently. Social media handles have been required of visa applicants since 2019, but Rubio said the new rules will increase scrutiny, particularly for those from China and Hong Kong.

After freezing billions in federal funding to the iconic university, the Trump administration paused Harvard’s ability to enrol international students. These moves followed Harvard’s refusal to share information about foreign students and address antisemitic incidents on campus. In response, Harvard has sued the administration for its actions.