Home | News | U.S. to Aggressively Revoke Chinese Students Visa, Xi Jinping’s Daughter in Question

U.S. to Aggressively Revoke Chinese Students Visa, Xi Jinping’s Daughter in Question

Photo: ©Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com

By Middle Land Staff

May 29, 2025
5:18 pm
Los Angeles, CA

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the United States will begin revoking visas for certain Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or enrolled in sensitive academic fields like technology and engineering. The move marks a significant escalation in the Biden administration’s national security policy toward China. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio said the State Department will “aggressively” enforce the policy, impacting thousands of Chinese nationals. China is currently the second-largest source of international students in the U.S., with over 270,000 students enrolled during the 2023–2024 academic year—roughly a quarter of all foreign students. As part of this effort, Rubio on Tuesday halted the scheduling of new visa interviews while the department prepares updated vetting procedures, including a review

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio said the State Department will “aggressively” enforce the policy, impacting thousands of Chinese nationals. China is currently the second-largest source of international students in the U.S., with over 270,000 students enrolled during the 2023–2024 academic year—roughly a quarter of all foreign students.

As part of this effort, Rubio on Tuesday halted the scheduling of new visa interviews while the department prepares updated vetting procedures, including a review of applicants’ social media activity. These developments have introduced new uncertainty for international students already facing intensified scrutiny under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The announcement follows a separate controversy in which the Trump administration attempted to block Harvard University from enrolling international students. A federal judge has temporarily halted that decision amid an ongoing legal challenge. Trump has also publicly stated that he believes Harvard’s international student population—which exceeds 25%—should be capped at 15%.

“I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office.

In recent months, immigration officials have also targeted international students involved in political protests, including those related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, raising concerns among advocacy groups and universities alike. ICE briefly revoked the legal status of thousands before reversing the decision and expanding the grounds under which international students may lose their visas.

Fanta Aw, CEO of the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA), warned the current measures will discourage students from choosing the U.S. for higher education. “International students are tremendous assets that contribute to America’s innovation and economic strength,” she said. “Undermining their ability to study here is self-defeating.”

The visa freeze affects F-1, J-1, and M-1 categories, which apply to academic, exchange, and vocational students, respectively. Students from various countries are now left navigating delays and legal uncertainty during a critical period of application and enrollment.

Meanwhile, Northeastern University, which hosts over 20,000 international students, has initiated contingency plans for visa-related disruptions. “This is a very dynamic situation,” said spokesperson Renata Nyul. “We are closely monitoring developments.”

Since 2019, visa applicants have had to disclose their social media profiles, but new guidelines could significantly expand the scope and depth of digital scrutiny.

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer called for the deportation of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s daughter, Xi Mingze, who previously studied at Harvard, claiming she is under the protection of Chinese military guards in the U.S.