U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently warned that up to 50,000 Chinese students enrolled in California colleges and universities may soon have their visas revoked.
President Trump has claimed these students are “exploiting U.S. universities,” introducing new policies under the banner “Put America First, Not China.”
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According to Gaurav Khanna, an assistant professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), international students—many from China—make up about 18% of the student body.
Trump Administration Targets Foreign Student Visas
Khanna, who has extensively researched the role of foreign students in U.S. universities and college towns, emphasized their financial and economic significance.
“They are very important sources of revenue, especially for public universities. They pay full tuition, and essentially help subsidize local in-state students,” Khanna told Border Report. “They make college more affordable for local students.”
He also highlighted their broader impact on the U.S. economy.
“They’re buying cars, renting apartments — all of which benefits local economies. And once they graduate, they often enter high-tech and STEM sectors, contributing to innovation and growth.”
A recent article from Cal Matters outlined the potentially devastating impact on California if these visas are revoked.
Chinese Students Face Growing Uncertainty
At UCSD and similar institutions, many Chinese students are now dealing with intense stress and unpredictability.
“Imagine being a college student and suddenly hearing you’re no longer allowed to stay at your university — or even in the country,” Khanna said. “It’s life-changing. Many are now considering returning home or going to countries like Canada, the U.K., or Australia.”
Not All Visas Revoked, But Scrutiny Is Increasing
The White House policy doesn’t guarantee that every Chinese student will lose their visa, but increased vetting and background checks are now part of the process.
“They’ll be looking at social media and other background info. Chinese students affiliated with the Communist Party or military-linked institutions are especially at risk,” Khanna added.
Over recent months, thousands of international students have lost their visas — some for protesting, others for minor issues like traffic violations.
According to Politico, Rubio has now urged U.S. embassies to halt all new visa interview appointments for international students.
