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Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Congress Cracks Down On U.S. Universities' Ties To China
(Photo by) Getty Images Scrutiny of China's role in American universities is intensifying on Capitol Hill and fast becoming one of the most aggressive and sustained bipartisan oversight campaigns in Washington. While attention has predictably focused on recent actions by the executive branch such as the Trump Administration's efforts to preclude foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University, or its pause on new student visa interviews, Congressional scrutiny on the nexus between American colleges and China predates those actions and is already far-reaching. Over the past several years, Congress has laid the groundwork for a broader, more structural crackdown on how U.S. universities interact with Chinese institutions, researchers and students. That work is now entering a more public and punitive phase. For years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns about China exploiting the openness of U.S. universities to advance its military and technological ambitions. As far back as 2019, Senate hearings and reports warned that Chinese government-linked entities were using academic partnerships to facilitate technology transfers and undermine research integrity. Lawmakers are continuing to sound the alarm. 'Our technological landscape has evolved rapidly during the last quarter century,' says Congressman Derek Tran (D-CA), the son of Vietnamese refugees who currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee. 'Congress must ensure that our national security and oversight responsibilities keep pace with the innovation produced by our universities and Capitol Hill must remain laser-focused on confronting these national security challenges.' Congress is now going further and faster than it has in the past toward this end. Lawmakers are now wielding bipartisan power, drafting sweeping legislation and conducting relentless oversight to curb China's growing academic foothold. Congress is no longer merely issuing warnings but formulating and implementing policy. From reforms to Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, to proposed new powers for CFIUS, legislators are crafting an expansive web of legislative constraints designed to significantly curb Chinese influence across the U.S. higher education landscape. This shift is most visible in mounting congressional pressure on U.S. universities to sever academic ties with Chinese institutions. Once framed as benign, these partnerships are increasingly cast as potential vectors for foreign influence or technology transfers. In early 2025, House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and House Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) deployed letters to Eastern Michigan University (EMU), Oakland University and the University of Detroit Mercy urging them to terminate partnerships with Chinese universities. EMU responded by ending its engineering teaching programs with Guangxi University and Beibu Gulf University, noting that while these programs did not involve research or technology transfer, the university prioritized national security concerns. Oakland University similarly announced the discontinuation of programs with three Chinese institutions. The University of Detroit Mercy indicated it is in the process of dissolving its partnerships, emphasizing that the programs were solely for undergraduate teaching without any research components. Similarly, Duke University has come under congressional scrutiny for its joint venture with Wuhan University known as Duke Kunshan University (DKU). Lawmakers expressed concerns that the partnership could facilitate access to sensitive U.S. technologies by the Chinese government, and urged Duke to reevaluate its partnership with DKU. Beyond these institutional arrangements, Congress has sought detailed information about Chinese nationals studying at elite U.S. universities. In March 2025, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party requested data from institutions including Stanford University seeking information on Chinese students' academic backgrounds, research affiliations and funding sources. The committee cited concerns that Chinese students in STEM programs might be part of a systematic effort by the Chinese government to acquire sensitive technologies. Harvard University is facing similar scrutiny, with lawmakers demanding explanations for its collaborations with Chinese entities linked to military and sanctioned organizations. The inquiry focuses on potential dual-use research and partnerships that could inadvertently support China's military advancements. Congressional scrutiny of Harvard University comes at a time when the Trump Administration is aggressively focusing on that elite institution and has announced it will 'aggressively revoke' visas for Chinese students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in 'critical fields.' The measure has prompted some lawmakers to call for a more nuanced approach. 'We should not have a blanket ban on Chinese and international students coming to the United States,' says Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who represents Silicon Valley in Congress and serves on the House Select Committee on China. 'It will hurt our leadership in the world and is not consistent with our values.' Congress has proposed several legislative measures aimed at increasing transparency and reducing foreign influence in U.S. higher education. The Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act seeks to amend Section 117 of the Higher Education Act by lowering the reporting threshold for foreign gifts and contracts from $250,000 to $50,000 and to any gift or contract from countries of concern, including China. The act also proposes prohibiting contracts with certain foreign entities and requiring disclosures of foreign investments within university endowments. Additionally, the House has advanced legislation that would restrict Department of Homeland Security funding to U.S. universities maintaining relationships with specific Chinese institutions, particularly those tied to China's military or intelligence services. These legislative efforts underscore a growing bipartisan commitment to safeguarding U.S. academic institutions from potential foreign exploitation, signaling a significant shift in the landscape of international academic collaboration. The consensus on China's influence is one of the few bipartisan constants in an otherwise fractured political landscape. American universities should expect more hearings, more target letters, more proposals and ultimately more laws. Congress has made clear that academic openness cannot come at the expense of national security. As the scope of scrutiny widens, American universities will have to strike a new balance—one that safeguards their missions while addressing mounting concerns on Capitol Hill.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats target Orange County's Asian voters in first paid 2026 election ads
[Source] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has reportedly launched its first paid advertising campaign of the 2026 election cycle, targeting Asian American voters across three competitive Southern California House districts. The five-figure ad buy includes print advertisements in Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean community newspapers throughout Orange County, focusing on districts held by Republican Young Kim (District 40), Democrat Derek Tran (District 45) and Democrat Dave Min (District 47). The multilingual ads, first seen by CQ Roll Call, emphasize economic concerns, with messages blaming Republicans for rising prices and stock market instability. One Chinese-language advertisement specifically names Kim, who remains the only House Republican representing Orange County following Michelle Steel's 2024 loss. All three districts are considered crucial battlegrounds for determining House control in 2026, as Republicans defend their narrow majority. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Migrant gangs put on notice after string of home burglaries
EXCLUSIVE: A bipartisan group of lawmakers asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to nix Chile's status on the visa waiver program (VWP) amid a major gang burglary risk. Reps. Young Kim, Derek Tran, Dave Min and Mike Levin of California sent a letter to DHS asking that Chile be taken off the list, which allows citizens from certain countries to visit the U.S. for roughly three months without a visa, until steps are taken to ensure that people robbing homes and businesses after they come to the country are stopped. "We are concerned that the VWP continues to be exploited by South American Theft Groups (SATG) — a majority of whom originate from Chile. Known as 'burglary tourism,' certain eligible individuals travel to the U.S. through the VWP for the purpose of committing residential and commercial robberies before returning to their country of origin," states the letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. 'Needs To Resign': Blue State Blasted For Asking For Loan Amid Skyrocketing Immigrant Healthcare Costs "In addition to having an impact on familial communities, SATGs continue to victimize Orange County companies and entrepreneurs, placing a burden on our local police departments, already beset by a lack of resources and a staffing deficit," the letter continued. "In 2024, there were 59 residential burglaries suspected of being committed by SATGs in the Orange County Sheriff's Department Southeast Patrol Area. Given the threat to public safety, we believe immediate action must be taken." Read On The Fox News App The practice of "burglary tourism" has become a relatively common occurrence in communities throughout the country, including affluent areas such as Orange County, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Even top athletes such as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow have become theft victims. Chilean Migrant Gangs Terrorize Americans With Home Invasions: What To Know A previous letter was sent by Kim, Levin and Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., asking the Biden administration to take similar action in June 2023, warning that the SATGs will sometimes "sell stolen goods online and launder money through Chinese crime syndicates." Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer asked Chile to lose its visa waiver program privileges last month on "FOX & Friends." Gang Of Illegal Immigrants Target High-end Phoenix-area Homes In Burglaries, Authorities Say "Every other South American country that has participated in the past has been kicked out of the program for sending their criminals to the United States of America," Spitzer said at the time. "These Chileans have been coming here for years," he said. "They're going to Orlando, Florida, where Disney World is. They're coming to Orange County, California, where Disneyland is. And they're not here to visit the happiest place on Earth — they're here to burglarize," he added. Southern American gangs, including the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua, have been under heightened scrutiny under the Trump administration, as many groups like them have now been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. DHS did not respond to a request for comment in time for article source: Migrant gangs put on notice after string of home burglaries
Fox News
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Migrant gangs put on notice after string of home burglaries
EXCLUSIVE: A bipartisan group of lawmakers asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to nix Chile's status on the visa waiver program (VWP) amid a major gang burglary risk. Reps. Young Kim, Derek Tran, Dave Min and Mike Levin of California sent a letter to DHS asking that Chile be taken off the list, which allows citizens from certain countries to visit the U.S. for roughly three months without a visa, until steps are taken to ensure that people robbing homes and businesses after they come to the country are stopped. "We are concerned that the VWP continues to be exploited by South American Theft Groups (SATG) — a majority of whom originate from Chile. Known as 'burglary tourism,' certain eligible individuals travel to the U.S. through the VWP for the purpose of committing residential and commercial robberies before returning to their country of origin," states the letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. "In addition to having an impact on familial communities, SATGs continue to victimize Orange County companies and entrepreneurs, placing a burden on our local police departments, already beset by a lack of resources and a staffing deficit," the letter continued. "In 2024, there were 59 residential burglaries suspected of being committed by SATGs in the Orange County Sheriff's Department Southeast Patrol Area. Given the threat to public safety, we believe immediate action must be taken." The practice of "burglary tourism" has become a relatively common occurrence in communities throughout the country, including affluent areas such as Orange County, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Even top athletes such as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow have become theft victims. A previous letter was sent by Kim, Levin and Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., asking the Biden administration to take similar action in June 2023, warning that the SATGs will sometimes "sell stolen goods online and launder money through Chinese crime syndicates." Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer asked Chile to lose its visa waiver program privileges last month on "FOX & Friends." "Every other South American country that has participated in the past has been kicked out of the program for sending their criminals to the United States of America," Spitzer said at the time. "These Chileans have been coming here for years," he said. "They're going to Orlando, Florida, where Disney World is. They're coming to Orange County, California, where Disneyland is. And they're not here to visit the happiest place on Earth — they're here to burglarize," he added. Southern American gangs, including the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua, have been under heightened scrutiny under the Trump administration, as many groups like them have now been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. DHS did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat introducing bill to rehire veterans caught up in Trump mass firings
Rep. Derek Tran (D-Calif.) is introducing legislation that would require the government to rehire veterans who were terminated without reason under the Trump administration's mass layoffs across federal departments and agencies. The bill also would require agencies to submit reports to Congress with justification for veteran dismissals, according to The Associated Press. 'They sacrificed so much to protect our country, to defend our freedom. Now they've been kicked to the curb,' Tran, an Army veteran told The Associated Press. Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee said almost 6,000 veterans have been fired across the federal government. Tran said widespread intent to fire government employees is a sign of disruption to the status quo in an effort to advance the wealthy. 'It's almost like permission to let them do what they want to do, and they feel like they can come in and disrupt by firing, by cutting a bunch of employees just so that they save government or they save this country X amount of dollars, only to transfer that over to tax cuts for them,' Tran told The Associated Press. The California lawmaker said he hopes Republicans will support his new bill, which would impact representative's constituents on both sides of the aisle. 'I've been trying to get support. I'm trying to not make this a partisan issue. This is just the right thing for our veterans,' Tran said. 'So in my communication with colleagues across the aisle, I want to make sure that they understand this is not a Democratic bill. This is a bill to protect those who served.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
