U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the United States will begin “aggressively” revoking visas of Chinese students, particularly those with links to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying sensitive and high-tech academic disciplines.
The move could significantly affect a major source of revenue for American universities and a vital talent pipeline for U.S. technology firms. It also marks an escalation in the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to implement a tougher immigration and national security agenda under President Donald Trump.
Rubio stated that the State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, would revise visa rules to tighten scrutiny of applicants from both China and Hong Kong. “The U.S. will take firm steps to revoke visas where necessary,” Rubio said, without specifying how broadly the policy would be enforced.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately issue a response. However, Beijing has previously vowed to “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of Chinese nationals abroad, particularly students impacted by mounting U.S. restrictions.
The Trump administration’s hardline stance comes amid broader tensions with China, including an ongoing trade war that has disrupted global markets, strained supply chains, and stoked fears of a global economic downturn. The visa crackdown was announced despite a recent easing in U.S.-China trade hostilities.
Chinese students have historically formed one of the largest groups of international students in the U.S., often choosing American institutions over China’s highly competitive university system. Many of these students, coming from affluent backgrounds, contribute significantly to the U.S. economy — with international students overall generating more than $50 billion in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. India and China together account for 54% of that total.
U.S. universities have increasingly come under scrutiny for their connections to Chinese institutions. Last week, the administration temporarily revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll foreign students, citing concerns over its alleged ties to China — a move that was subsequently blocked by a U.S. judge.
Rubio’s announcement did not clarify the scope or timeline of the visa revocations. However, even a limited implementation could dramatically curtail the long-standing academic migration of Chinese students to the U.S., which began in the late 1970s.
The number of Chinese students in the U.S. has already been declining, falling from a peak of around 370,000 in 2019 to approximately 277,000 in 2024. The decrease is attributed to increased bilateral tensions, tighter U.S. scrutiny of Chinese nationals, and the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the growing pressure, Chinese students have long been regarded as valuable contributors to American academia, research, and the broader workforce — a legacy now potentially at risk under the new visa policies.
