HONG KONG — Thousands of Chinese students in the United States are on edge after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a sweeping new policy that could revoke the visas of students linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive academic fields.

The move, unveiled on Wednesday, has left many scrambling for answers and reconsidering their future in the U.S.

A Shockwave Through the Chinese Student Community

For Linqin, a Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University, the news was deeply unsettling. “This feels like a modern-day version of the Chinese Exclusion Act,” he said, referencing the 19th-century law that banned Chinese immigrants and blocked them from gaining citizenship. For the first time, he’s seriously considering leaving the U.S.—a country he’s called home for nearly a third of his life.

With over 270,000 Chinese students currently enrolled in American universities—making up about a quarter of all international students in the U.S.—the policy is expected to have far-reaching consequences.

Beijing Slams Move as Politically Motivated

China’s Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned the U.S. decision. Spokesperson Mao Ning called it “unreasonable” and accused Washington of hypocrisy. “This discriminatory action reveals the U.S. lie about freedom and openness,” she said, noting that China had formally lodged a protest.

Visa tensions between the two countries aren’t new. Back in 2019, during Trump’s presidency, China warned students of tightening visa restrictions and an uptick in rejections. And just last year, Beijing protested after several Chinese students were allegedly interrogated and deported upon arriving in the U.S.

Frustration and Uncertainty on Campus

The policy has upended plans for students like Zou Renge, a 27-year-old studying public policy at the University of Chicago. She had planned to work in humanitarian aid overseas after graduation. Now, she’s staying put.

“With all this uncertainty, I’m just trying to figure out a solution,” she said.

For others, the U.S. is no longer the dream destination it once was. State media in China continues to emphasize American gun violence and civil unrest, discouraging students from studying abroad. The ongoing strain in U.S.–China relations has led some students to instead choose schools in the U.K., Australia, or Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Sees an Opportunity

Sensing a moment to attract global talent, Hong Kong officials are extending an open hand. On Thursday, city leader John Lee said Hong Kong would welcome students “discriminated against by American policies.”

“This is an opportunity for Hong Kong,” Lee told lawmakers. “We’ll work with our universities to provide the best support.”

Universities across the city—including HKUST, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and City University—are already easing application processes for international students from elite U.S. institutions. HKUST even extended an invitation to Harvard students after former President Trump threatened their visa status.

Hong Kong, known for its academic freedom and international environment, has long been a preferred destination for mainland Chinese students. The city introduced a new visa scheme in 2022 to reverse an exodus of professionals and students during the COVID pandemic and after Beijing imposed a national security law.

Looking for a Way Forward

Education consultants like Will Kwong in Hong Kong say they’re now helping students with U.S. admission offers seek alternatives in the U.K. and Australia.

Meanwhile, some see the U.S. move as self-defeating.

“Fewer international exchanges will hurt America’s development,” said Zhang Qi, a postdoctoral researcher in Beijing. “This could actually benefit China by encouraging top talent to stay and contribute to local institutions like Tsinghua and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.”

And for those waiting to begin their U.S. education, the uncertainty is unbearable.

Chen, an incoming student at Purdue University, is still in China awaiting his visa. He’s frustrated and disillusioned.

“I thought the U.S. stood for freedom and diversity. But this feels like the opposite,” he said.

Source: AP News – Chinese students anxious and angry after Rubio vows to revoke visas

The post Chinese Students in U.S. Face Uncertainty After New Visa Crackdown appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is escalating its battle with Harvard University by pushing federal agencies to cancel about $100 million worth of contracts with the Ivy League powerhouse, a senior official revealed Tuesday. This move adds to an already significant crackdown on the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.

So far, the federal government has slashed more than $2.6 billion in research grants to Harvard, which has resisted the administration’s demands to change its leadership, governance, and admissions policies. Now, a draft letter from the General Services Administration (GSA) instructs agencies to review their contracts with Harvard and seek alternative vendors. The letter was expected to be sent out Tuesday.

The New York Times first uncovered this letter, which reflects growing tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard.

What’s at Stake? Contracts Under Review Include Executive Training and Research

The administration has identified roughly 30 contracts across nine federal agencies that could be canceled. These contracts, totaling around $100 million, cover a range of services — from executive training for Department of Homeland Security officials to graduate student research and even health studies linked to energy drinks.

For contracts deemed critical, agencies have been told not to halt work immediately but to prepare plans to switch to vendors other than Harvard.

Importantly, this directive targets federal contracts only, not the remaining research grants still awarded to Harvard.

Trump’s Broader Assault: Threatening Billions in Cuts and Targeting International Students

Over the weekend, President Trump ramped up his attack on Harvard via social media, threatening to cut an additional $3 billion in federal grants and redirect that funding to trade schools nationwide. However, he did not specify which grants would be affected or how the money would be reallocated.

Trump also criticized Harvard for allegedly refusing to release the names of its foreign students. He argued that their home countries contribute nothing to their education costs and claimed some of these countries “are not at all friendly to the United States.”

In reality, international students don’t qualify for federal financial aid, but Harvard provides its own scholarships and aid to all students, both domestic and foreign.

“We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country,” Trump wrote on social media.

What exactly he’s demanding remains unclear, especially since the government already has access to visa and other records for foreign students across U.S. universities.

Foreign Student Records and Legal Pushback

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has demanded that Harvard hand over extensive records on its foreign students, including disciplinary files and any information related to “dangerous or violent activity.” Harvard says it complied, but DHS deemed the response insufficient and moved to revoke Harvard’s permission to enroll international students.

Harvard sued to block this move, and a federal judge in Boston temporarily halted the DHS action.

Global Reactions: Japan Steps In to Support Affected Students

Internationally, the situation is drawing concern. Japan’s government announced plans to support Harvard’s international students affected by these sanctions. Education Minister Toshiko Abe said she will ask Japanese universities to prepare measures to help those students.

The University of Tokyo, Japan’s most prestigious institution, is reportedly considering temporarily accepting some Harvard students caught in the crossfire.

This latest escalation highlights the deepening rift between Harvard and the Trump administration, with wide-ranging consequences for the university’s funding, its international students, and its role in federal research and education programs.

Source: AP News – Trump administration moves to cut $100 million in federal contracts for Harvard

The post Trump Administration Moves to Cut $100 Million in Harvard Federal Contracts appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.