China vows to protect students after US visa crackdown and Harvard enrollment ban

The U.S. government has intensified visa restrictions targeting Chinese students, particularly those linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive fields, as part of a broader national security strategy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy, stating, “Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country.” This move includes revoking visas and increasing scrutiny of future applications from China and Hong Kong.

The Department of Homeland Security has also temporarily barred Harvard University from enrolling new international students, accusing it of “coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party” through research partnerships.

China, the second-largest source of international students in the U.S., had over 270,000 students enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year, representing nearly a quarter of all foreign students. However, numbers have declined from a peak of around 370,000 in 2019 amid rising tensions and increased U.S. government scrutiny.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry vowed to “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its students abroad, signaling diplomatic pushback against the U.S. measures.

Critics argue the U.S. is using national security as a pretext to reduce foreign student presence, while the Trump administration has expanded social media vetting and deportation efforts targeting Chinese students.

The crackdown reflects escalating geopolitical tensions and concerns over academic and technological espionage, impacting thousands of Chinese students and U.S. educational institutions.

“For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights,” Rubio said, underscoring the administration’s justification for the visa restrictions.

The evolving policy landscape poses significant challenges for international education and diplomatic relations between the two global powers.

China vows to protect its students after the U.S. announced visa revocations targeting Chinese nationals linked to the Communist Party and critical fields of study. The U.S. also banned Harvard from enrolling new international students over alleged ties to China, amid rising tensions and scrutiny of Chinese students in America.