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NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
How Trump Administration Targeting Chinese Students Was Years In The Making
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The U.S. plans to revoke visas for Chinese students, citing security concerns related to the Chinese Communist Party. This policy, backed by Trump allies, aims to curb China's influence in U.S. education and has worsened already strained U.S.-China relations. The United States' plans to 'aggressively' revoke visas for Chinese students did not happen in a day. US President Donald Trump and his allies had been laying the groundwork for this since years. In 2023, in a campaign trail, Trump vowed to ban 'Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists' from the country, shut down China-funded Confucius Institutes on U.S. college campuses and even prosecute Chinese scientific researchers and professors working at US universities. 'The president laid it out there in the campaign… when he says he's going to do something in the campaign, he actually tries to do it,' said Ken Cuccinelli, who was Trump's deputy of Homeland Security during his first term, per a report by the Politico. 'The reason people like me raised it in the first term is the reason you're hearing from Rubio — there are very real security reasons to not help the Chinese advance their position in technical fields, and certainly not anyone more closely associated with [the Chinese Communist Party].' The administration has China hawks who have been focussed on cracking down China's influence on US institutions. About 277,000 Chinese students studied in the US last year, and Marco Rubio, Secretary of State has vowed to 'aggressively revoke' the visas and said that they will focus on people with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying sensitive subjects. 'The Secretary made this decision in the administration's ongoing effort to protect our homeland from espionage and other hostile actions,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. China has condemned the policy and termed it 'unreasonable', one that 'damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupted the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries.' The policy further complicated ties between the countries which are already battling strained ties since Trump put a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese goods but ultimately reduced it to 30 per cent after a temporary agreement with China. Similarly China also reduced the tariffs on the US from 125 percent to 10 per cent. This week the US curbed critical US technology sales to China, including software that is used to make semiconductors. The visa revocations for Chinese students comes as the initial step in removing Chinese influence from the United States. Trump allies hope the next target will be funding for universities working with Chinese grad students. Moreover, US immigration law bars members of the Communist Party from becoming naturalised citizens or green card holders, however, these rules do not apply to people in the United States on student or tourist visas. 'Those who come to enjoy our country must love our country,' Trump said. 'We're going to keep foreign, Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists out of America.' Legislation to limit Chinese nationals from obtaining visas for STEM-related studies had been introduced as early as 2020 by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) He applauded the administration's decision in a statement, saying 'China's use of students to spy on political dissidents and American researchers is a well-documented national security threat.' Rubio too had introduced a bill in 2021 targeting Chinese nationals in 2021. He pressured local colleges to shut down their Confucius Institutes when he represented Florida in the US Senate. He said in 2022, vocally opposing China, saying that it 'is the most formidable near-peer adversary our nation has ever faced.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Behind Trump's long campaign to target Chinese student visas
President Donald Trump's aides and allies have been laying the groundwork for his aggressive crackdown on Chinese student visas for years. Trump vowed on the campaign trail in 2023 to ban 'Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists' from the country, expanding on efforts from his first administration to shut down China-funded Confucius Institutes on U.S. college campuses and prosecute Chinese scientific researchers and professors at American universities. MAGA allies on the Hill have introduced legislation to this effect in recent years. And during his first term, Trump officials even discussed the early iterations of the very policy Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled late Wednesday. The plan to revoke the student visas is another example of a White House able to build on the policy foundation laid during Trump's first term — turbocharged by planning that took place in the president's four years away from Washington. While work on student visas had been underway, the president and his aides considered that the timing of the clampdown may complicate a fragile trade truce with China. But the administration forged ahead anyway, said a White House official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about policy discussions. 'The president laid it out there in the campaign… when he says he's going to do something in the campaign, he actually tries to do it,' said Ken Cuccinelli, who served as Trump's deputy of Homeland Security during the first term. 'The reason people like me raised it in the first term is the reason you're hearing from Rubio — there are very real security reasons to not help the Chinese advance their position in technical fields, and certainly not anyone more closely associated with [the Chinese Communist Party].' The policy released this week circulated among administration officials for months after Trump signed a day one executive order directing the secretary of State to review vetting and screening for immigrants coming to the U.S., including for visa holders. The administration is stacked with aides who have long been laser focused on cracking down on China's influence in U.S. institutions, including senior policy adviser Stephen Miller and Rubio. Both played key roles in finalizing this week's policy announcement across the White House and departments of Homeland Security and State, according to the White House official. 'It was only a matter of time,' the official said. 'It's something that's been so widely discussed for so long.' Approximately 277,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S. last year, and it remains unclear how many will lose their ability to remain in the country. Rubio vowed to 'aggressively revoke' the visas and said the focus would be on people with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying sensitive subjects. 'The Secretary made this decision in the administration's ongoing effort to protect our homeland from espionage and other hostile actions,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The administration's action has further fueled tensions between China and the U.S., with Beijing condemning the policy as 'unreasonable' and one that 'damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupted the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries.' Last month, Trump placed a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods but those were reduced to 30 percent when U.S. and Chinese officials reached a temporary agreement. China also reduced its tariffs on American goods to 10 percent from 125 percent. The trade detente was already in jeopardy as the countries continue to engage in a growing supply chain standoff, with the U.S. this week curbing sales to China of critical U.S. technologies, including software used to make semiconductors. The latest move could further threaten the strained relationship. The administration's student visa crackdown follows House passage of legislation to deny DHS funding to U.S. colleges and universities with Confucius Institutes or ties to Beijing's security apparatus. And Trump more broadly has targeted international students across the nation's higher education system, pausing interviews for new student visa applicants this week as it weighs expanding social media screening throughout the vetting process. 'They may be using a machete instead of a scalpel at this point,' said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that looks to restrict immigration. 'This is just an agenda item that's been pretty high on the list because of the security importance of it.' The president's aides and allies view the visa revocations as the initial step in clamping down on Chinese influence in the U.S., with the White House official suggesting it could lead to a wider exclusion of international students from the country. Some allies are hopeful that the administration will next target funding for universities working with Chinese grad students, similar to what the House bill did. 'We have to take things one step at a time,' the White House official said. 'When you're trying to do something big, it's best to start small.' Trump previewed this week's policy move almost two years ago at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, vowing to use Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to 'deny entry to all communists and Marxists.' U.S. immigration law already bars members of the Communist Party from becoming naturalized citizens or green card holders, but these rules don't apply to people in the U.S. on student or tourist visas. 'Those who come to enjoy our country must love our country,' Trump said. 'We're going to keep foreign, Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists out of America.' But Trump allies have been planting the seeds for much longer. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in 2020 introduced legislation that sought to limit Chinese nationals from obtaining visas for STEM-related studies. The issue has continued to circulate in GOP circles. Cotton applauded the administration's decision in a statement, saying 'China's use of students to spy on political dissidents and American researchers is a well-documented national security threat.' Rubio, who introduced another bill alongside Cotton targeting visas for Chinese nationals in 2021, has long invested in the issue. While representing Florida in the U.S. Senate, he pressured local colleges to shut down their Confucius Institutes. He was vocal in his opposition to China, contending in 2022 it 'is the most formidable near-peer adversary our nation has ever faced.' Andrew Atterbury contributed to this report.
Politico
4 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Behind Trump's long campaign to target Chinese student visas
President Donald Trump's aides and allies have been laying the groundwork for his aggressive crackdown on Chinese student visas for years. Trump vowed on the campaign trail in 2023 to ban 'Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists' from the country, expanding on efforts from his first administration to shut down China-funded Confucius Institutes on U.S. college campuses and prosecute Chinese scientific researchers and professors at American universities. MAGA allies on the Hill have introduced legislation to this effect in recent years. And during his first term, Trump officials even discussed the early iterations of the very policy Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled late Wednesday. The plan to revoke the student visas is another example of a White House able to build on the policy foundation laid during Trump's first term — turbocharged by planning that took place in the president's four years away from Washington. While work on student visas had been underway, the president and his aides considered that the timing of the clampdown may complicate a fragile trade truce with China. But the administration forged ahead anyway, said a White House official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about policy discussions. 'The president laid it out there in the campaign… when he says he's going to do something in the campaign, he actually tries to do it,' said Ken Cuccinelli, who served as Trump's deputy of Homeland Security during the first term. 'The reason people like me raised it in the first term is the reason you're hearing from Rubio — there are very real security reasons to not help the Chinese advance their position in technical fields, and certainly not anyone more closely associated with [the Chinese Communist Party].' The policy released this week circulated among administration officials for months after Trump signed a day one executive order directing the secretary of State to review vetting and screening for immigrants coming to the U.S., including for visa holders. The administration is stacked with aides who have long been laser focused on cracking down on China's influence in U.S. institutions, including senior policy adviser Stephen Miller and Rubio. Both played key roles in finalizing this week's policy announcement across the White House and departments of Homeland Security and State, according to the White House official. 'It was only a matter of time,' the official said. 'It's something that's been so widely discussed for so long.' Approximately 277,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S. last year, and it remains unclear how many will lose their ability to remain in the country. Rubio vowed to 'aggressively revoke' the visas and said the focus would be on people with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying sensitive subjects. 'The Secretary made this decision in the administration's ongoing effort to protect our homeland from espionage and other hostile actions,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The administration's action has further fueled tensions between China and the U.S., with Beijing condemning the policy as 'unreasonable' and one that 'damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupted the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries.' Last month, Trump placed a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods but those were reduced to 30 percent when U.S. and Chinese officials reached a temporary agreement. China also reduced its tariffs on American goods to 10 percent from 125 percent. The trade detente was already in jeopardy as the countries continue to engage in a growing supply chain standoff, with the U.S. this week curbing sales to China of critical U.S. technologies, including software used to make semiconductors. The latest move could further threaten the strained relationship. The administration's student visa crackdown follows House passage of legislation to deny DHS funding to U.S. colleges and universities with Confucius Institutes or ties to Beijing's security apparatus. And Trump more broadly has targeted international students across the nation's higher education system, pausing interviews for new student visa applicants this week as it weighs expanding social media screening throughout the vetting process. 'They may be using a machete instead of a scalpel at this point,' said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that looks to restrict immigration. 'This is just an agenda item that's been pretty high on the list because of the security importance of it.' The president's aides and allies view the visa revocations as the initial step in clamping down on Chinese influence in the U.S., with the White House official suggesting it could lead to a wider exclusion of international students from the country. Some allies are hopeful that the administration will next target funding for universities working with Chinese grad students, similar to what the House bill did. 'We have to take things one step at a time,' the White House official said. 'When you're trying to do something big, it's best to start small.' Trump previewed this week's policy move almost two years ago at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, vowing to use Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to 'deny entry to all communists and Marxists.' U.S. immigration law already bars members of the Communist Party from becoming naturalized citizens or green card holders, but these rules don't apply to people in the U.S. on student or tourist visas. 'Those who come to enjoy our country must love our country,' Trump said. 'We're going to keep foreign, Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists out of America.' But Trump allies have been planting the seeds for much longer. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in 2020 introduced legislation that sought to limit Chinese nationals from obtaining visas for STEM-related studies. The issue has continued to circulate in GOP circles. Cotton applauded the administration's decision in a statement, saying 'China's use of students to spy on political dissidents and American researchers is a well-documented national security threat.' Rubio, who introduced another bill alongside Cotton targeting visas for Chinese nationals in 2021, has long invested in the issue. While representing Florida in the U.S. Senate, he pressured local colleges to shut down their Confucius Institutes. He was vocal in his opposition to China, contending in 2022 it 'is the most formidable near-peer adversary our nation has ever faced.' Andrew Atterbury contributed to this report.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
US announces aggressive revocation of Visas for Chinese students
Secretary of State Marco Rubio decl ared on Wednesday that the United States will 'aggressively' revoke visas held by Chinese students—particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or enrolled in sensitive academic fields. The move, if broadly applied among the roughly 277,000 Chinese students in American universities in 2024, could jeopardize a vital revenue stream for higher education institutions and a key talent source for U.S. technology firms. Rubio also revealed plans to tighten visa-issuance standards for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security to step up scrutiny. While the Trump administration previously targeted Harvard University's foreign-student enrollment over perceived links to China, this broader policy shift marks a significant escalation in visa enforcement. Beijing condemned the decision through its foreign ministry, lodging formal protests and vowing to defend the rights of its nationals abroad. Chinese students who had received U.S. university offers expressed dismay at the heightened uncertainty. International students, led by cohorts from India and China that together accounted for 54 percent of the total, contributed over US $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023. Enrollment of Chinese nationals peaked at around 370,000 in 2019 before dipping amid geopolitical tensions and pandemic-related travel restrictions.[^1] Rights advocates warn that sweeping visa cancellations risk undermining America's standing as a global research leader. Yaqiu Wang, a U.S.-based human-rights researcher originally from China, acknowledged concerns about espionage and intellectual-property theft but criticized blanket revocations as 'deeply concerning' for both individual rights and scientific innovation. Since the late 1970s, the United States has been a top destination for Chinese students seeking alternatives to a highly competitive domestic university system. Many have remained post-graduation, bolstering U.S. research and the workforce. However, escalating U.S.–China rivalry and heightened oversight have already prompted some students to consider European institutions or return home after completing their studies. Under former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. authorities shut down numerous Confucius Institutes—China-funded cultural centers on campuses—citing national-security risks. Now, with visa policies on the front line, universities face renewed pressure to balance openness with security considerations.
Axios
5 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
U.S. to begin revoking visas for Chinese students
The U.S. will begin revoking visas for Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday. The big picture: The move marks a major escalation in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, and comes a day after Rubio directed a halt to student visa interviews. Driving the news: Rubio made the announcement on X Wednesday, saying the revocation of visas of Chinese students includes for those "with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." It was not immediately clear whether the directive will impact all students from China. Representatives for the Chinese Embassy, the White House, Department of Homeland Security and the State Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment Wednesday evening. Zoom out: The Trump administration has targeted universities and students, policing foreign nationals' conduct and speech. As part of its pressure campaign against Harvard, the administration tried to pull the school's ability to enroll international students last week. A judge temporarily barred the move after Harvard sued the administration over the action. Rubio also sought to launch an AI -fueled "Catch and Revoke" effort to cancel the visas of foreign nationals who appear to support Hamas or other designated terror groups. Flashback: Rubio has been a China hawk for years. In 2018 as a U.S. senator, he launched the successful effort to ban the China-funded Confucius Institutes from college campuses in his home state of Florida.
