A proposed US law could block Chinese students from obtaining visas, further straining educational ties between the two nations. Republican lawmakers are set to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives on Friday, citing espionage concerns.
Though its chances of becoming law remain slim, the bill has already created anxiety among aspiring Chinese students. The legislation would apply to all Chinese nationals, regardless of their academic field. Representative Riley Moore, its sponsor, claims many students act as intelligence gatherers for China’s government.
Currently, Chinese students form the second-largest group of international students in the US, with 277,398 enrollments in 2023-2024. However, their numbers have been declining since 2019. Some students are now reconsidering their plans.
Mia Kong, a 23-year-old from Hebei, who applied for a master’s in AI, fears restrictions could derail her career. Nadine Lin, a Hong Kong-based high schooler, worries a full ban would shatter her long-held aspirations.
US Vice-President J.D. Vance further fueled fears, suggesting visa holders could be deported if deemed a security risk. Critics, including Representative Grace Meng, have slammed the bill as xenophobic and self-sabotaging, warning it could push talented scientists to Asia instead.
With past visa crackdowns and state-level bans, Chinese students now face greater uncertainty over their US education dreams.
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