Hajra Naz
The Trump administration has made new immigration rules. These rules are making it harder for international students, especially from China.
Some students are losing their visas. Others face more checks. Student visa interviews have also been paused. These actions are worrying students, teachers, and legal experts across the country.
New Visa Policy Targets Chinese Students
The U.S. government recently shared a new rule to cancel visas for some Chinese students. On May 28, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this rule targets students linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive areas. The goal is to limit immigration and reduce China’s access to U.S. education and research.
Even though Rubio made the announcement, reports say the idea came from Stephen Miller, a top advisor in the White House. Back in 2018, Miller had pushed for a complete ban on Chinese students in the U.S.
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Lack of Clarity Fuels Fear
On May 29, 2025, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that visa decisions would be subjective. She emphasized that terms like “critical fields” could mean different things to different decision-makers, adding to uncertainty among students. Bruce also didn’t explain how connections to the Chinese Communist Party would be defined or evaluated.
Bruce said national security was the main concern and that all visa holders from China would undergo careful vetting. If issues were found, visas could be revoked.
Experts Warn of Negative Consequences
Jeffrey Gorsky, a former legal expert at the State Department, said these new rules might hurt the U.S. more than help it. He believes students shouldn’t be denied visas just because of small links to Chinese groups, especially since there’s already a system to check for security risks.
The government says these new rules continue a policy called Presidential Proclamation 10043, which started in 2020. That policy blocks Chinese science and tech students from getting visas if they studied at schools tied to the Chinese military. President Biden kept this rule in place too.
Economic and Tech Experts Oppose Student Ban
Many economic and technology experts believe banning Chinese students is a mistake. They argue that the U.S. benefits from educating international students, particularly in science and engineering.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, highlighted that Chinese researchers are among the top contributors to AI research in the U.S. Removing them would hurt American innovation.
A Wall Street Journal analysis by Christopher Mims noted that despite U.S. efforts to compete with China in areas like AI, energy, EVs, and drones, China is still leading in many sectors. Blocking students may do little to change that and could slow U.S. progress.
Graduate Schools Could Suffer
Chinese students make up a significant portion of U.S. graduate programs in science and engineering. According to the National Science Foundation, 83% of Chinese PhD holders in these fields stay in the U.S. after graduation. In 2022, the National Academy of Sciences urged the U.S. to attract more foreign talent instead of limiting it.
Suspension of Student Interviews Adds to Concerns
On May 27, 2025, the State Department announced it would stop scheduling new interviews for F-1 students and exchange visas. This was in preparation for a new system to screen applicants’ social media accounts.
A State Department cable, reported by Politico, stated that no new visa appointment slots should be added until further notice. The move added another layer of uncertainty for international students.
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Legal Context: Free Speech and Deportation
The administration’s push to expand visa vetting comes after legal difficulties in deporting certain individuals. For example, on March 8, 2025, ICE arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful resident and protester, using a law that allows deportation for perceived threats to U.S. foreign policy.
This same law was used against a Tufts PhD student, Rumeysa Ozturk, for co-authoring an op-ed. But on May 28, 2025, U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz ruled the law was likely unconstitutional for being too vague. A similar opinion had been issued in 1996 by Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister.
Khalil may still face deportation on different grounds, including allegations that he misrepresented information to gain permanent residency. Immigration lawyer Cyrus Mehta noted that Khalil could apply for a waiver since he has a qualifying spouse.
Screening and Transparency Issues
Experts say the new social media screening rules will likely be very subjective. Another major concern is the lack of transparency in visa decisions—the State Department rarely explains why an application is denied.
The freeze on interviews is especially worrying for students preparing to start school in the fall. Although Tammy Bruce said the pause wouldn’t last “weeks or months,” no clear timeline has been given.
Impact on Students and Universities
Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said even a short delay is already causing harm. She said.
“Some people have heard it could be a week, others fear it may be a month or more. That would be devastating for students and campuses,”
There’s also fear that the administration may soon target Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows students to work in the U.S. after graduation.
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Conclusion
The Trump administration is adding more immigration rules, especially for Chinese students. This is worrying many people in education, law, and tech.
There isn’t much clarity on how these rules will be used. Decisions may depend too much on personal judgment. The pause on student visa interviews makes things harder for those planning to study in the U.S.
Experts say these changes could hurt American schools, slow down innovation, and affect the country’s global image in the long run.
