Chinese students stranded as Harvard faces Trump's visa ban
Chinese Harvard students are cancelling flights home in large numbers and seeking legal advice after President Donald Trump's administration blocked the university from accepting foreign students. Current international students must transfer to other universities or lose their legal status in the United States.
The Trump administration accused Harvard of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, which became the basis for implementing the ban. The university called the government's action "unlawful" and assured that it is "fully committed" to educating international students.
Reuters describes the stories of Chinese students. They feel particularly threatened by this decision. A 24-year-old physics doctoral student named Zhang admitted that "the Chinese community definitely feels more threatened compared to other groups."
Zhang added that some friends advised him not to stay at his current residence if the situation worsens, because "there is a possibility that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent might take him." Many Chinese Harvard students worry about their visa status and internship prospects, although some believe that the university will likely win any potential legal battles.
The number of Chinese students in the United States fell to about 280,000 in 2024 from a peak of approximately 370,000 in 2019. This is partly due to growing tensions between the economies of both countries and increased scrutiny of some Chinese students by the US government. According to university data, Chinese students accounted for one-fifth of Harvard's international students 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 US 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. It is worth noting that over the past two decades, many members of the ruling Communist Party elite have studied at Harvard, including Xi Jinping's daughter, Xi Mingze.
The most concerned among Chinese Harvard students are those with summer jobs as research assistants tied to their visa status, which is crucial for future doctoral applications. Two Chinese students reported that they were added to WhatsApp groups where worried international students were frantically sharing legal advice about their immigration status.
The Trump administration explained that the Thursday decision was a response to Harvard's refusal to provide information about foreign student visa holders and could be reversed if the university complies. Amidst the rising tensions between China and the United States in recent years, Chinese families are increasingly sending their children to universities in other English-speaking countries, such as Australia and Singapore.
