US to 'aggressively' revoke Chinese students' visas

The Trump administration announced plans to intensify its restrictions on Chinese nationals studying in the US, signaling a tougher stance amid already strained US-China relations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the US will "aggressively revoke visas" for Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or who are pursuing studies in “critical fields.” The new rules will also include stricter vetting procedures for visa applicants from China and Hong Kong.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students,” Rubio said. “We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.”

The announcement comes as the two superpowers continue to clash over trade, technology, and national security. The Trump administration's broader strategy has already included sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods and increased scrutiny of academic and technological collaboration.

While an estimated 280,000 Chinese students were enrolled in American institutions last year, officials have not specified how many could be affected by the new measures. Chinese nationals have historically made up the largest group of international students in the US, though that number has declined in recent years due to rising tensions and lingering effects of pandemic-era restrictions.

Beijing sharply criticized the policy shift. “We urge the US side to earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China,” a Chinese official said on Wednesday.

On Monday, US embassies around the world were directed to stop scheduling new student visa appointments as the State Department expands social media vetting for applicants. Existing appointments will remain in place, according to an internal memo reviewed by CBS News.

The Trump administration has previously attempted to expel foreign students, revoke thousands of visas, and halt funding to universities it claims are politically biased. Many of these efforts have been challenged in court.

In a related legal battle, Harvard University recently obtained a temporary court order blocking the federal government from revoking its certification to host international students. In its filing, the university warned the action would cause “irreparable harm,” both financially and emotionally.

Maureen Martin, who leads Harvard’s office for international students, noted that scholars were experiencing “significant emotional distress” and reconsidering their future in the US.

“Students are skipping graduation ceremonies, cancelling international travel, and some are already looking to transfer elsewhere,” she wrote.

For students already affected by the uncertainty, the impact is deeply personal.