Washington D.C.: In a sharp escalation of its immigration and national security stance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that the United States will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, particularly those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or enrolled in strategically sensitive academic fields.
In a post on social media platform X, Rubio declared:
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.”
This move is seen as part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on foreign enrolments, particularly amid ongoing concerns over espionage, ideological influence, and national security risks posed by students from adversarial nations.
Trump Targets Harvard Over Foreign Student Ratio
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump reignited his feud with Harvard University, sharply criticizing its foreign student intake and implying that some international students were “troublemakers.”
“We don’t want to see shopping centres explode. We don’t want to see the kind of riots that you had,” Trump said, linking some unrest to radicalized foreign students.
Trump noted that Harvard admits around 31% foreign students, questioning the high number:
“Why would 31 percent? Why would a number be so big? I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 percent. We have people that want to go to Harvard and other schools but they can’t get in because we have foreign students there.”
Trump further claimed that the institution is failing to screen applicants for loyalty to the U.S., and suggested that some international students contribute to unrest influenced by the “radical left.”
Legal Battle with Harvard Intensifies
As per CNN, Harvard has stated in court filings that full-time international students comprise about 25% of its student body. The university is currently entangled in a legal battle with the federal government, having refused demands to turn over conduct records of foreign students or allow ideological audits.
In response to prior administration actions aimed at barring Harvard from enrolling new international students, the university filed a lawsuit, arguing the decision was “unlawful and retaliatory.” A federal judge has temporarily halted the ban.
Context and Implications
The visa revocation announcement comes amid growing US-China tensions, particularly in education, technology, and national security. Critical fields likely targeted include AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and biotech — areas where Chinese talent has been both highly visible and increasingly scrutinized.
Rubio, a long-time China hawk, has previously pushed for decoupling US academic institutions from CCP influence, citing risks of intellectual property theft and ideological infiltration.
As the Trump administration doubles down on its “America First” policy, the actions could significantly reshape international academic mobility, and deepen ideological rifts in global education diplomacy.