29-05-2025
Marco Rubio Announces New Plan to Revoke Chinese Student Visas
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new plan on Wednesday to "aggressively revoke" student visas issued to international students from China.
Newsweek reached out to the State Department via email and online form for additional comment.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration has cracked down on Ivy League institutions and sought to revoke the student visas of several international students since Trump took office.
Among other things, President Donald Trump and other officials have accused Harvard University and Columbia University of not doing enough to combat antisemitism on campus grounds amid student demonstrations protesting Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Trump's administration also tried to pull approval for Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows the university to enroll international students. A judge later halted the administration's efforts.
The administration has also temporarily paused all new student and exchange visitor visa interviews at U.S. consulates and embassies. Amid the pause, the White House is considering implementing a new policy that would require foreign student visa applicants to go through a social media vetting.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations | Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025,...
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations | Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) More
What To Know
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rubio said, "The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."
Rubio added in a separate press release that the State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security in its efforts.
The secretary of state continued, "We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong."
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
