Rubio says will ‘aggressively revoke' Chinese student visas
Mr Marco Rubio said the Trump administration will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 28 he will 'aggressively' revoke visas to students from China, long a top source of revenue for US universities, striking defiance after Beijing complained about a suspension in visa processing.
US President Donald Trump's administration will 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Communist Party of China or studying in critical fields,' Mr Rubio said in a statement.
Mr Rubio said the department will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from China and Hong Kong.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China has the second highest number of international students pursing higher education in the United States in 2023/2024 with 277,398 students, according to the Institute of International Education.
On May 27, it was reported that the US Department of State had halted new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants.
The Trump administration has expanded social media vetting of foreign students and is seeking to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of its wide-ranging efforts to fulfil his hardline immigration agenda. AFP, REUTERS
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