Hundreds of Chinese students in the United States have been ordered to leave the country under a visa revocation policy from the Trump administration that has resurfaced amid ongoing political manoeuvring in Washington. The reinstatement of the recall, affecting those with links to certain Chinese universities and institutions, has reignited diplomatic friction between Beijing and Washington at a time when relations were beginning to stabilise.
The move targets graduate-level students and researchers believed to have connections with Chinese military-affiliated universities, based on a 2020 proclamation issued by then-President Donald Trump. Though partially suspended under President Biden, the enforcement of this order has reportedly resumed in recent weeks, with several Chinese nationals receiving notices to depart the US within a set timeframe or face deportation proceedings.
According to immigration officials, the affected individuals were studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields and were deemed a potential risk to national security. The Trump-era order, known as Proclamation 10043, claimed that these students could engage in intellectual property theft or contribute to the development of advanced weapons systems for the People’s Liberation Army.
Universities across the United States have expressed concern over the policy’s return, saying it undermines academic freedom and risks harming America’s reputation as a destination for top international talent. Some institutions have already begun offering legal assistance to students caught in the policy’s wake, while student groups have organised protests and petitioned for the order’s repeal.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the move, calling it an unjustified and discriminatory action that politicises academic exchange. In a formal statement, officials urged the US to “correct its mistake” and cease what they described as ideological confrontation disguised as national security.
Analysts note that the timing of the renewed enforcement may not be coincidental. With the US entering a volatile election cycle and the Trump campaign regaining political traction, actions that appear tough on China are likely to resonate with segments of the electorate. However, critics warn that such policies could damage bilateral ties and further isolate Chinese students who have no affiliation with the Chinese military or state.
The broader impact remains to be seen. While the number of students affected is relatively small compared to the roughly 290,000 Chinese nationals studying in the US, the symbolic weight of the action could deter future applicants and strengthen China’s efforts to build its own domestic research ecosystem.
For now, the atmosphere remains tense. Chinese students and their American peers await further clarity from the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, with uncertainty clouding the future of many academic careers caught in the crossfire of geopolitics.
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