Former U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to allay growing anxieties among Chinese students studying in America after federal officials revealed plans for tighter visa controls on students from China and Hong Kong.
Trump responded positively when asked by reporters about how new visa rules might impact Chinese students already studying in American institutions. He noted that the United States only wants to “check out” individual learners instead of conducting a blanket crackdown against all foreign learners.
U.S. officials recently made public that they will begin revoking student visas of individuals believed to have close ties to foreign political organizations or academia that involves sensitive academic fields like science, technology and engineering. The policy targets students associated with Chinese state-backed programs or institutions involved with data mining, surveillance or military research.
Officials have also disclosed that future visa applications from students in China and Hong Kong will be more heavily scrutinized under revised immigration policies, potentially impacting thousands of those hoping to study in the U.S. over the coming academic years.
U.S. universities currently welcome over 270,000 Chinese students who contribute greatly to academic, cultural, and financial fabric of American universities. Trump’s comments have caused uncertainty for these students who fear unexpected revocation or denials when applying for renewals or extensions of visa status.
University administrators across the U.S. have expressed alarm, noting that sudden visa changes could disrupt learning, create legal complications and diminish U.S. colleges’ allure among international applicants.
On an international front, Chinese officials have sharply condemned this move and labeled it as politically driven and discriminatory, cautioning that such actions could damage educational ties and diplomatic ties between both nations.
As discussions around immigration reform progress, Chinese students who already reside in the U.S. are being advised to remain up-to-date, maintain legal immigration status, and seek guidance from their university’s international student services office.
