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.

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