Secretary Of State Rubio Hosts Signing Ceremony With Rwandan And
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

HONG KONG — The United States will start "aggressively" revoking the visas of Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, according to NBC News.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in U.S. immigration policy, raising concerns about its impact on academic communities and international relations. Rubio's statement, made on Wednesday, targets students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or those enrolled in fields deemed critical, such as advanced technology or sciences, though specific fields were not detailed.

John Burns, an emeritus professor at the University of Hong Kong specializing in Chinese politics, criticized the move. "The U.S. is paranoid about the Chinese Communist Party," Burns told NBC News in a phone interview on Thursday. He noted that verifying CCP membership is challenging, as the U.S. government lacks independent means to confirm such affiliations unless disclosed by students or their associates.

The policy shift comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, with immigration and academic exchanges becoming focal points. Critics argue the move could disrupt U.S. universities, which rely heavily on international students, particularly from China, who contribute significantly to research and campus diversity. Supporters, however, view it as a necessary step to protect national security.

The announcement follows a broader Trump administration crackdown on immigration, including the revocation of hundreds of student visas and scrutiny of scholars involved in protests, particularly those related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, NBC News reported.

Details on the implementation, such as the number of students affected or the timeline, remain unclear. The policy's reliance on vague criteria like "CCP connections" has sparked debate over potential overreach and its impact on academic freedom.

Burns emphasized the complexity of identifying CCP affiliations, stating, "The American government has no independent way of verifying whether a Chinese student is a party member."

As universities brace for potential disruptions, the policy underscores ongoing U.S.-China tensions, with implications for global education and diplomacy.