Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the United States will begin revoking visas held by certain Chinese nationals.
Rubio confirmed via a statement on X that the State Department would “aggressively” cancel visas for Chinese students, who represent the second-largest international student demographic in the U.S.
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio wrote.
During the 2023–2024 academic year, there were 277,398 students from China enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors 2024 report. This figure represents a 4% decline from the previous year, but, despite this decrease, China remained the second-largest source of international students in the United States, following India, which sent 331,602 students.
The data also highlights that Chinese students continue to be the leading group among undergraduate and non-degree international students in the U.S., with 87,551 undergraduates and 5,517 non-degree students. Additionally, the number of Chinese students participating in Optional Practical Training programs increased by 12% to 61,552 .
The department has paused the scheduling of visa interviews for all international students while it drafts new protocols for screening applicants’ social media activity. The policy shift adds to the growing list of immigration reforms targeting foreign nationals under President Donald Trump, who recently called on Harvard University to cap its international student population at 15%, down from its current level of over 25%. (RELATED: Alan Dershowitz Says He Knows Exactly Which Parts Of Harvard Trump Should Defund)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 20: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Earlier today, Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign officials involved in suppressing the speech of American citizens. He emphasized that the U.S. will no longer tolerate overseas censorship efforts that infringe on Americans’ First Amendment rights.
“For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights. Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans,” Rubio said. “Free speech is essential to the American way of life — a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority.”
The Trump administration has been embroiled in a legal battle with Harvard University. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s authority to enroll international students on Thursday, triggering a lawsuit from the Ivy League school. A federal district judge responded Friday by issuing a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement of the DHS decision.
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