WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday offered reassurances to Chinese students studying in the United States, amid escalating scrutiny from his administration on international academic programs.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated, “They’re going to be okay. It’s going to work out fine,” when asked what message he had for Chinese students currently enrolled in American universities.
The statement marked a notable shift in tone from the administration’s recent actions. Earlier in the week, officials announced intentions to tighten student visa policies for Chinese nationals, sparking concerns across academic institutions nationwide.
Trump clarified that the administration’s goal is not to target all Chinese students indiscriminately, but rather to increase vetting measures. “We just want to check out the individual students we have. And that’s true with all colleges,” he said.
The president’s comments followed a federal judge’s decision on Thursday to extend a temporary block on the administration’s move to prevent Harvard University from enrolling certain international students. The court ruling was seen as a significant blow to the administration’s campaign against perceived security risks within academia.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed to “aggressively” revoke visas held by Chinese students. According to officials, thousands of visas have already been canceled — not only for alleged national security concerns, but also for students’ activism critical of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, as well as for minor infractions such as traffic violations.
At the center of the clash between the administration and academia is Harvard University, which has refused to hand over a list of students the government claims to be “interested in.”
“I don’t know why Harvard’s not giving us the list,” Trump remarked. “There’s something going on… They ought to give us the list and get themselves out of trouble.”
Despite the pressure, Harvard remains defiant. During graduation ceremonies this week, Harvard President Alan Garber received a standing ovation after urging universities to “stand firm” in the face of what he described as a government “war” on students and academic freedom.
Trump, however, framed the crackdown as a matter of national loyalty. “We want people that can love our country and take care of our country and cherish our country,” he said.
International students currently make up just under 6 percent of the U.S. university population — significantly lower than the United Kingdom, where international students constitute about 25 percent of total university enrollment.
As the administration doubles down on immigration and academic scrutiny, observers note a widening rift between the White House and some of the country’s most prestigious institutions.
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