Revocation of visas to students by the US raises global concerns in the education sector
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United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last Wednesday, May 28, that the US government began the revocation of visas from Chinese students. The measure covers students with alleged calls to the Chinese government or who are enrolled in academic areas considered sensitive, such as Computer Science or Financial Engineering. The decision was justified for national security reasons.
In response, the China government expressed firm opposition, considering that it is a politically motivated and discriminatory action. Chinese authorities have said they will resolve their students’ rights and legitimate rights and interests in the United States.
Since the beginning of the current presidential term, the US Administration has been implementing a set of restrictions directed to international students, with special incidence on Chinese citizens. These measures include limitations on admission to technical courses, scholarship cuts assigned by public universities, restrictions on international recruitment by institutions such as Harvard University, as well as the obligation to share detailed data on students with federal authorities.
In addition to China, these policies have affected the international community. In April this year, the United States canceled the visas of at least 529 students, teachers and researchers from 88 universities, generating widespread concern between foreign students and the global academic sector. On social networks, students from various countries have manifested themselves against what they consider to be a violation of their rights, as universities such as Harvard, MIT and the University of California began legal proceedings against the federal government. Technological companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft have also warned of the negative impacts of these restrictions on competitiveness and innovation.
In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries and regions were enrolled in US higher education institutions, representing about 6% of the total students in the country. However, due to recent restrictions, the number of Chinese students in the United States decreased from 370,000 in 2019 to 277,000 today.
The revocation of visas may seriously compromise international academic exchange, undermine scientific research projects and limit knowledge sharing between institutions. In addition, the financial dependence of many universities regarding the bribes paid by foreign students may be severely affected, aggravating existing budgetary difficulties.
In economic terms, the presence of international students is a significant contribution to the United States. In 2023, it was estimated that this group generated about $ 50 billion for the US economy. The imposition of restrictions on their access may, according to several analysts, represent a strategic setback and compromise the role of the United States as an academic destination of excellence worldwide.
