Latest news with #USVisa
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Students bear the brunt of China-US crossfire
Xiao Chen turned up at the US Consulate in Shanghai on Thursday morning, hours after Washington announced that it would "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese 22-year-old had a visa appointment: she was headed to Michigan in the autumn to study communications. After a "pleasant" conversation, she was told her application had been rejected. She was not given a reason. "I feel like a drifting duckweed tossed in wind and storm," she said, using a common Chinese expression used to describe feeling both uncertain and helpless. She had been hopeful because she already had the acceptance letter. And she thought she had narrowly escaped the bombshells in recent days. First, Donald Trump's administration moved to end Harvard University's ability to enrol international students, a move that has since been blocked in court. And then it said it had stopped visa appointments for all foreign students. But now, Chen is ready for plan B. "If I can't get the visa eventually, I'll probably take a gap year. Then I'll wait to see if things will get better next year."A valid visa may still not be enough, she adds, because students with visas could be "stopped at the airport and deported"."It's bad for every Chinese student. The only difference is how bad." It has been a bleak week for international students in the US - and perhaps even harder for the 280,000 or so Chinese students who would have noticed that their country has been singled Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of "co-ordinating with the Chinese Communist Party". Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the move against Chinese students in the US would include "those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields". That could hit a wide swathe of them given membership of the Communist Party is common among officials, entrepreneurs, business people and even artists and celebrities in has called it a "politically motivated and discriminatory action", and its foreign ministry has lodged a formal was a time when China sent the highest number of foreign students to American campuses. But those numbers slipped as the relationship between the two countries soured. A more powerful and increasingly assertive Beijing is now clashing with Washington for supremacy in just about everything, from trade to tech. Trump's first term had already spelled trouble for Chinese students. He signed an order in 2020 barring Chinese students and researchers with ties to Beijing's military from obtaining US visas. That order remained in place during President Joe Biden's term. Washington never clarified what constitutes "ties" to the military, so many students had their visas revoked or were turned away at US borders, sometimes without a proper of them, who did not wish to be named, said his visa was cancelled by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when he landed in Boston in August 2023. He had been accepted into a post-doctoral program at Harvard University. He was going to study regenerative medicine with a focus on breast cancer, and had done his master's degree from a military-affiliated research institution in China. He said he was not a member of the Communist Party and his research had nothing to do with the military. "They asked me what the relationship was between my research and China's defence affairs," he told the BBC then. "I said, how could breast cancer have anything to do with national defence? If you know, please tell me."He believes he never stood a chance because the officials had already made up their minds. He recalled one of them asking: "Did Xi Jinping buy your suitcase for you?"What was surprising, or even shocking then, slowly turned normal as more and more Chinese students struggled to secure visas or admissions to study science and technology in US Cao, a psychology major whose research involves neuroscience, has spent the past school year applying for PhD programs in the US. He had graduated from top-tier universities - credentials that could send him to an Ivy League school. But of the more than 10 universities he applied to, only one extended an offer. Trump's cuts to biomedical research didn't help, but the mistrust surrounding Chinese researchers was also a factor. Allegations and rumours of espionage, especially in sensitive subjects, have loomed over Chinese nationals at US universities in recent years, even derailing some careers. "One of the professors even told me, 'We rarely give offers to Chinese students these days, so I cannot give you an interview," Mr Cao told the BBC in February."I feel like I am just a grain of sand under the wheel of time. There is nothing I can do." For those who did graduate from US colleges, returning home to China has not been easy either. They used to be lauded as a bridge to the rest of the world. Now, they find that their once-coveted degrees don't draw the same Jian, who did not want to use his real name, said he quickly realised that his undergraduate degree from a US college had become an he first came back in 2020, he interned at a state-owned bank and asked a supervisor if there was a chance to stay supervisor didn't say it outright, but Chen got the message: "Employees should have local degrees. People like me (with overseas degrees) won't even get a response."He later realised that "there really weren't any colleagues with overseas undergraduate background in the department".He went back to the US and did his master's at Johns Hopkins University, and now works at Chinese tech giant despite the degree from a prestigious American university, Mr Chen does not feel he has an edge because of the stiff competition from graduates in China. What also has not helped is the suspicion around foreign graduates. Beijing has ramped up warnings of foreign spies, telling civilians to be on the lookout for suspicious figures. In April, prominent Chinese businesswoman Dong Mingzhu told shareholders in a closed-door meeting that her company, home appliance maker Gree Electric, will "never" recruit Chinese people educated overseas "because among them are spies"."I don't know who is and who isn't," Ms Dong said, in comments that were leaked and went viral later, the CIA released promotional videos encouraging Chinese officials dissatisfied with the government to become spies and provide classified information. "Your destiny is in your own hands," the video said. The suspicion of foreigners as the US and China pull further away from each other is a surprising turn for many Chinese people who remember growing up in a very different country. Zhang Ni, who also did not want to use her real name, says she was "very shocked" by Ms Dong's 24-year-old is a recent journalism graduate from Columbia University in New York. She says she "doesn't care about working at Gree", but what surprised her was the shift in so many Chinese companies "don't like anything that might be associated with the international" is a huge contrast from what Ms Zhang grew up with - a childhood "filled with [conversations centred on] the Olympics and World Expo"."Whenever we saw foreigners, my mom would push me to go talk to them to practice my English," she willingness to exchange ideas and learn from the outside world appears to be waning in China, according to many. And America, once a place that drew so many young Chinese people, is no longer that welcoming. Looking back, Ms Zhang can't help but recall a joke her friend made at a farewell dinner before she left for the US. Then a flippant comment, it now sums up the fear in both Washington and Beijing: "Don't become a spy."Additional reporting by Kelly Ng
Arab News
29-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Chinese students anxious and angry after Rubio vows to revoke visas
HONG KONG: Chinese students studying in the US are scrambling to figure out their futures after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that some students would have their visas revoked. The US will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in 'critical fields,' and 'those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party,' according to the announcement. China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the US This is a 'new version of Chinese Exclusion Act,' said Linqin, a Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University, who asked to be identified only by his first name out of fear of retaliation. He was referring to a 19th-century law that prohibited Chinese from immigrating to the US and banned Chinese people already in the US from getting citizenship. He said Wednesday was the first time he thought about leaving the US after spending one third of his life here. Chinese international students are point of tension between US and China China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called the US decision unreasonable. 'Such a politicized and discriminatory action lays bare the US lie that it upholds the so-called freedom and openness,' she said Thursday, adding that China has lodged a protest with the US The issue of Chinese students studying overseas has long been a point of tension in the bilateral relationship. During Trump's first term, in 2019, China's Ministry of Education warned students about visa issues in the US, with rising rejection rates and shortening of visas. Last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry protested that a number of Chinese students have been unfairly interrogated and sent home upon arrival at US airports. Chinese state media has long hyped gun violence in the US and violent protests during the pandemic, and portrayed the US as a dangerous place that wasn't safe for its citizens. The tense bilateral relationship has also meant that some Chinese students are opting to study in the UK or other countries over the US after the pandemic. Zou Renge, a 27-year-old public policy master's student at the University of Chicago, said she had planned to take some time off and work in humanitarian aid programs abroad after graduating at the end of this year. But now, she will refrain from leaving the US and will look for jobs in the meantime. 'In a very uncertain environment, I'll try my best to find myself a solution,' she said. Hong Kong seeks to draw in talent amid uncertainty Some were eager to capitalize on the uncertainty facing international students in the US Hong Kong's leader John Lee told lawmakers on Thursday that the city would welcome any students who have been discriminated against by American policies to study in the city. 'The students who face unfair treatment can come from different countries beyond the US I think this is an opportunity for Hong Kong,' he said. 'We will work with our universities to provide the best support and assistance.' That followed a widely shared post by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) inviting Harvard students to 'continue their academic pursuits' there after Trump said he would revoke the university's ability to accept international students. Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997, is a popular destination for mainland Chinese students to pursue their university degrees because of its international image and relative freedoms. The city launched a new visa scheme in 2022 to counter the exodus of expatriates and local professionals that occurred after Beijing imposed a national security law to quell dissent and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple Hong Kong universities including the Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKUST, and City University of Hong Kong said they would streamline or facilitate applications for international students coming from top universities in the US Will Kwong, managing director at Hong Kong's AAS Education Consultancy, said his company was helping students with offers from American universities to apply to other institutions, predominantly in Britain and Australia, so that they had alternative choices. US was known for diversity and this will hurt it, students say 'Having fewer international exchanges is definitely not good for America's development,' said Zhang Qi, a postdoctoral fellow in Beijing. 'This could be a positive change for China's development. More talented individuals may choose to stay at Tsinghua or Peking University, or with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other top institutions in China, which would benefit the development of domestic science and technology.' For many, there is little they can do as they now wait for the fallout from the move. Chen, an incoming Chinese student at Purdue University who only gave his last name out of concern for retaliation by the Trump administration, has been waiting anxiously for his visa approval. But he was also angry. Currently in China, he said this was the exact opposite of what he thought the US stood for. 'I was expecting freedom and tolerance. The US was known for its diversity which allows international students to fit in, but it is a pity to see such kind of change,' he said.
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Most Irish J1 students unaffected by US move to halt interviews for visas
Most Irish students who have applied for J1 visas to work in the United States this summer will be unaffected by the US government's suspension of visa interviews for foreign students, according to travel experts. Embassies and consulates have been ordered to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants as the US State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students. Travel firms who help to administer J1 visas for Irish students said the vast majority of students have had their applications processed, while those with scheduled interviews at the US embassy are exempt from the pause. About 5,000 Irish students are expected to travel on J1 visas this summer, a similar number to last year. READ MORE A cable from the US State Department to embassies – reported by Reuters – states that it is 'conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and, based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants'. Michael Doorley, owner of SayIt Travel, who has been organising J1 visa applications for more than 20 years, said the vast majority of summer workers can breathe a sigh of relief. 'J1 students are pretty much done and dusted by this stage,' said. 'If you're on the record as having applied – our understanding is that applicants with existing interview appointments should still be able to attend those.' Sheelagh Daly, director of sales for the Council on International Educational Exchange, agreed that only a very small number of J1 students who have not yet applied may be affected. 'It is an evolving situation. We expect to get update guidance [on student visa applications] over the coming days, so we'll be monitoring that closely, but we're confident that almost all J1 students are on track.' [ Irish students' J1 plans in the Trump era: 'We said we wouldn't go ahead. It just isn't safe' Opens in new window ] Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ), the national representative body for students, acknowledged 'growing concerns around political expression, social media monitoring, and student safety'. It called on both US and Irish authorities to provide 'clear, consistent information to protect students' rights and ensure their safety while abroad'. Chris Clifford, AMLÉ's president, said Irish students should not be discouraged from pursuing cultural exchange programmes. 'Those who have already applied can proceed with confidence. For those intending to apply, we recommend acting quickly and maintaining contact with your provider. AMLÉ will continue to support and advocate for all students involved in the J1 programme,' he said. Last March, consular officers were first told to scrutinise the social media content of some applicants for student and other types of visas. That directive said that officers need to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the 'fraud prevention unit' for a 'mandatory social media check'. [ Irish J1 visa students urged to be informed of potential risks of 'activism' in US Opens in new window ] In recent months, US president Donald Trump 's administration has spoken about cancelling student visas, revoking green cards and scrutinising the social media history of foreign visitors, mainly in the context of outrage around Israel's war in Gaza. Mr Doorley of SayIt Travel said it has advised J1 students to be 'careful' about their use of social media. Despite the political atmosphere in the US, he said demand was as strong as ever for J1 visas. 'It's still a rite of passage for students,' he said. 'We filled our quota and still had a waiting list of about 150 students.'
News18
21-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
U.S. To Impose Visa Bans on Indian Travel Agents Aiding Illegal Immigration
Last Updated: US Visa Restrictions 2025: The United States has announced visa restrictions on Indian travel agencies accused of aiding illegal immigration US Visa Restrictions 2025: The United States has announced that it is taking action against certain Indian travel agency executives for their alleged involvement in facilitating illegal immigration to the U.S. The move marks a significant escalation in America's efforts to crack down on human smuggling networks. Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, confirmed the decision on Monday, stating that visa restrictions will be imposed on 'owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India who have knowingly aided illegal immigration to the United States." While the Department has not disclosed the identities of those targeted, citing confidentiality laws surrounding visa records, the announcement signals heightened scrutiny of immigration-related activities involving Indian nationals. This development follows a wave of deportations earlier this year, when the U.S. repatriated approximately 330 Indian citizens who were found to be residing illegally in the country. Sources suggest that immigration enforcement was a key topic during U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to India last month. In a broader statement, the Department of State emphasized its ongoing efforts to dismantle human smuggling and trafficking operations. 'Officials at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates across India are working daily to identify and target those who profit from illegal immigration schemes," Bruce noted. The United States reiterated its resolve to take firm action against individuals and organizations that abuse legal travel frameworks to exploit vulnerable populations. First Published: May 21, 2025, 11:11 IST
Globe and Mail
12-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
U.S. bill to extend Canadian snowbirds' visa-free stays could pose tax, financial hurdles, experts warn
A new bill in the U.S. appears to be a win for Canadian retirees who want to spend more time residing south of the border, but experts warn it doesn't address key tax and regulatory hurdles that come with longer stays. The bipartisan Canadian Snowbird Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in late April. It proposes to extend how long Canadians aged 50 and older can spend in the U.S. without a visa – 240 days a year, up from 182 – so long as they own property in the U.S. or have a signed rental agreement for the duration of their stay. While the bill has a brief mention that Canadians would retain their nonresident tax status, financial planners and lawyers say that would be harder to achieve in practice. Some also said it likely wouldn't override the new 30-day registration requirements required for all 'aliens' 14 years or older – including Canadians – without a visa, unless otherwise exempted. Darren Coleman, senior portfolio manager with Coleman Wealth at Raymond James Ltd. in Oakville, Ont., said the bill would be 'extremely appealing' to many of his snowbird clients. But, he added, the real concern is avoiding U.S. taxes. Currently, the U.S. levies taxes on non-citizens if they reside in the U.S. for a certain amount of time. To determine that, a test, called the 'substantial presence test' uses a calculation based on a person's days spent in the U.S. over a three-year period. If the total surpasses 183 days, individuals may be considered U.S. tax residents – requiring them to file a U.S. tax return and potentially splitting tax dollars between both countries. The bill does not explain how this longer stay period would interact with the substantial presence test or the Canada-U.S. tax treaty. 'I imagine that would take a massive overhaul of the process that's been in place for a long time,' Mr. Coleman said. 'There needs to be more meat on the bone for us to really be comfortable.' The bill also says Canadians would not be permitted to work for U.S. employers or access public assistance programs. A version of the Canadian Snowbird Act was passed in the U.S. Senate in 2013 but failed to make it in the House. Since then, similar bills have been introduced but have never succeeded. Terry Ritchie, a senior director and private wealth manager with Cardinal Point Wealth Management ULC in Calgary, said such legislation has largely failed because they don't meaningfully address the tax complications. She said she believes the latest version of the bill will likely face the same fate. Experts also warn that the measure doesn't appear to negate the recent U.S. rule requiring Canadians and other visitors without visas to register if they plan to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. For Canadian snowbirds without visas who own or lease property in the U.S., they are still required to register in most cases. 'They are completely separate,' said Eileen Martin, a partner at law firm Lippes Mathias in Buffalo. 'People would still have to take into account those types of requirements even if they were allowed to stay longer.' Staying longer in the U.S. could also jeopardize access to provincial health coverage, said Rosanna Berardi, an immigration lawyer in Buffalo. For example, Ontario residents must spend at least 153 days out of a 12-month period in the province to be eligible for coverage. Ms. Berardi, who said the details of the bill are 'clear as mud,' still sees it as the U.S. 'extending the olive branch' to Canadians who have been spurning U.S. travel in response to the Trump administration's trade war and threats of annexation. Canadian residents driving back from the U.S. in March declined nearly 32 per cent compared with the same month last year, according to Statistics Canada. The Canadian Snowbird Act would likely help regions in the U.S. that depend on Canadian dollars and are feeling the pinch. 'Providing Canadians who own homes and property in the United States with extra time to visit and boost our economy will help revive Canadian tourism to the United States,' said Elise Stefanik, a Republican Representative for an upstate New York district that borders Canada who co-introduced the bill, in a statement.
