US Government Imposes New Visa Restrictions Targeting International Students

The Trump administration has implemented a series of new restrictions targeting international students at U.S. colleges and universities, including an indefinite pause on student visa interviews and heightened screening of applicants' social media profiles. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to aggressively revoke visas of Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying sensitive fields, citing national security concerns. These policies have raised fears among international students about subjective and unclear criteria potentially derailing their educational plans. The administration also attempted to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students, escalating ongoing legal battles. International students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy and higher education funding, with some universities relying heavily on their tuition. Critics argue that these measures could damage the reputation of U.S. research universities and limit academic opportunities, while the administration maintains the policies are necessary to protect intellectual property and national security.