Chinese students at Harvard are caught in the middle of a growing political and immigration fight between the Trump administration and U.S. universities.
The crackdown comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to target higher education and migration. On May 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to suspend all student visa interviews. While the administration claims national security concerns are behind the decision, critics point to a long-standing pattern of hostility toward Chinese students. Some officials have pushed conspiracy theories, suggesting Chinese students act as spies. Trump has reportedly said “almost every” Chinese student could be involved in espionage.
Though these claims have resulted in a handful of investigations and arrests, the vast majority of Chinese students have no connection to espionage. A previous initiative under Trump—meant to root out academic spying—collapsed after multiple failed prosecutions and was widely criticized for fueling racism.
China has its own concerns when it comes to students studying abroad. The Chinese government invests heavily in monitoring student associations overseas to prevent dissent. For many Chinese families, sending a child abroad is a costly and high-stakes decision. The Trump administration’s policies are making that decision riskier, and could push more students to other countries.
The impact on U.S. universities is significant. After COVID, Chinese student enrollment fell sharply, with many choosing to study elsewhere. That shift has already cost American colleges an estimated $10 billion. Trump’s latest policies may deepen those losses.
Read next
23:30
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue a new executive order aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agriculture and tourism sectors, which have been affected by his administration’s stricter immigration policies.
23:30
Liam Payne's final onscreen appearance will air next month as part of a Netflix series, following the approval of his family who reviewed the content and supported his involvement in the music competition.
23:00
US producer prices rose 2.6% annually in May, matching market expectations, with a modest 0.1% increase from April, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
22:52
Within the framework of the international event on energy efficiency held in Brussels, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, met with the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol.
22:44
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment