Trump Administration to Aggressively Revoke Chinese Student Visas, Says Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration will begin “aggressively” revoking visas issued to Chinese students, particularly those studying in "sensitive and critical fields." Rubio further stated that all visa applications from mainland China and Hong Kong will be subject to stricter scrutiny going forward. Shortly after, a user on X (formerly Twitter), @yanbojack, citing a Reuters report, claimed that the U.S. plans to expel all Chinese students currently studying in semiconductor, artificial intelligence, and aerospace-related programs. According to the post, an estimated 27,700 student visas will be revoked in one sweep, with additional revocations expected to follow. The report suggests that the U.S. aims to remove all Chinese students from STEM disciplines by 2026. Students in the humanities are reportedly not at immediate risk of having their visas canceled, but their applications will be examined for signs of “anti-American ideology.” In response, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move and confirmed that a formal protest had been lodged with Washington. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to “firmly safeguarding” the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students abroad. This escalation follows earlier actions by the Trump administration, which revoked Harvard University’s ability to admit international students—many of whom were from China. Harvard subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging the decision. A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order against the administration’s directive, which is expected to be extended later this week. The policy shift has sparked widespread concern among Chinese students already in the U.S. and those planning to study there. With increasing uncertainty surrounding their academic futures, some students are now reconsidering their options and exploring top universities in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada.