Chinese students scramble as Harvard faces visa crackdown
Chinese Harvard students are canceling flights home en masse and seeking legal advice following the Trump administration's decision to block the university from accepting foreign students. Current international students must transfer to other universities or lose their legal status in the U.S.
The Trump administration accused Harvard of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, which formed the basis for the ban. The university called the government's action "unlawful" and assured its "full commitment" to educating international students.
Reuters describes the plight of Chinese students, who feel particularly threatened by this decision. A 24-year-old physics doctoral student named Zhang stated that "the Chinese community definitely feels more threatened compared to other groups."
Zhang added that some friends advised him to leave his current residence if the situation worsens, fearing "an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent might take him." Many Chinese Harvard students worry about their visa status and internship prospects, although some believe the university will likely win any potential legal battles.
The number of Chinese students in the U.S. has dropped to about 277,000 in 2024 from a peak of approximately 370,000 in 2019. This decline is partly due to growing economic tensions between the two countries and increased scrutiny of Chinese students by the U.S. government. According to university data, Chinese students made up one-fifth of Harvard's international student body in 2024.
Drastic plan changes
Some students have been assured that "the university is actively working on a response within the next 72 hours and intends to negotiate with the government."
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented that the U.S. action "will only harm the image and international credibility of the United States," while also promising to "strongly protect the legitimate rights and interests" of its students abroad. Notably, over the past two decades, many members of China's ruling Communist Party elite, including Xi Jinping's daughter, Xi Mingze, have studied at Harvard.
The most concerned among Chinese Harvard students are those with summer jobs as research assistants, as their visa status is crucial for future doctoral applications. Two Chinese students reported being added to WhatsApp groups where worried international students were frantically sharing legal advice about their immigration status.
The Trump administration explained that the decision made Thursday was a response to Harvard's refusal to provide information about foreign student visa holders and could be reversed if the university complies. Amid rising tensions between China and the U.S., Chinese families are increasingly sending their children to universities in other English-speaking countries, such as Australia and Singapore.
