In Depth: U.S. Visa Curbs Leave Chinese Students in Limbo as Trump Gambles With Their Future

He Yuxing, a Chinese student who finished high school in the United States, had planned to start a biology degree there but now faces uncertainty as a result of volatile U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration. Like many international students, he is unsure whether he can return to pursue his education, as abrupt policy changes and tense political rhetoric have made obtaining visas and securing legal status increasingly difficult. This instability generates widespread anxiety and leaves many Chinese students in limbo regarding their academic and career futures. [para. 1][para. 2]

Key complications arise from the U.S. student visa process. For instance, the I-20 form, required for student status, becomes invalid after five months outside the U.S., putting students like He at risk following restrictive changes since May. Many students are left scrambling, and those already admitted to U.S. institutions are unsure if their status remains valid. [para. 3]

Yue Min, set to return to the University of Texas at Austin for a master’s in social work, echoes these concerns. She had hoped to work in the U.S. post-graduation through the H-1B visa, which is also under threat, underscoring the increasing uncertainty for international students. [para. 4]

Ph.D. candidates, such as Mu Zhizhi, face even higher stakes in fields now scrutinized for national security reasons. Mu has chosen not to leave the U.S. before completing her degree, like many other Chinese Ph.D. students who fear they may not be able to return if they leave. [para. 5][para. 6]

The situation worsened after the U.S. State Department announced on May 28, under Secretary Marco Rubio and in alignment with Trump’s directives, stricter vetting for Chinese student visas, particularly for those associated with the Chinese Communist Party or “critical fields.” This announcement sent shockwaves through the Chinese student community, and many now face heightened scrutiny and procedural delays. Even students in non-technical fields, such as psychology, report difficulties, and some now feel “trapped” in the U.S., hesitant to travel for fear of not being re-admitted. [para. 7][para. 8][para. 9][para. 10][para. 11]

Under existing rules, students with expired visas but valid SEVIS status can remain in the U.S., yet recent reports of mass SEVIS cancellations have sparked panic. Universities are now advising Chinese students not to travel unless absolutely necessary, as returning is increasingly risky. [para. 12][para. 13]

The crackdown culminated with a direct attack on Harvard University. In May, the Trump administration suspended Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, affecting 6,800 students—over 27% of Harvard’s student body, with Chinese students making up nearly a quarter of that number. Harvard sued the government, and a federal judge issued temporary injunctions to prevent immediate harm, but the threat remained, including a subsequent proclamation barring new Harvard students from entering the U.S. for six months. The administration is considering revoking current students’ visas as well. [para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17][para. 18][para. 19][para. 20]

These measures have had a chilling effect. Some Chinese students, such as Mu Zhizhi, are now resigned to returning home after graduation due to insurmountable challenges in securing work or permanent residence in the U.S., despite holding advanced degrees from prestigious universities. Many international Ph.D. students in the U.S. share these sentiments, as confirmed by official data showing that 19% of the U.S. STEM workforce and 43% of Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers are foreign-born. [para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25]

Legal and social pressures in the U.S. are intensifying, such as new laws in states like Texas banning property ownership by citizens from certain countries, including China. While community sentiment remains mostly positive, students acknowledge the stress caused by these policies, though many strive to adapt. [para. 26][para. 27]

Transferring to other countries or institutions remains impractical for many, especially for specialized doctoral candidates like Mu. Students like He and Yue are exploring limited backup options but prefer to stay the course if at all possible, as starting over would be difficult. [para. 28][para. 29][para. 30][para. 31]

All names in this account are pseudonyms for privacy, and the reporting was contributed by Han Wei and Guo Yingzi. [para. 32][para. 33]