CAPAC Members Demand Answers from Secretary Rubio on Revocation of Visas for Chinese Students
Members raise concerns that “innocent students will be caught up in this ordeal, simply because they are of Chinese descent.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), led 31 CAPAC members in demanding answers from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his agency’s plan to “aggressively revoke visas” for Chinese students. In the letter, the lawmakers raised concerns regarding the impacts of this policy on individuals of Chinese descent and how the Trump administration will determine which students have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
“We agree that anyone who comes to the United States under false pretenses to gather intelligence with the intention of benefitting a foreign adversary like the Chinese Communist Party has no place here, and should be addressed,” wrote the lawmakers. “However, the lack of any details about the process or standards by which you intend to conduct this review raises serious concerns that innocent students will be caught up in this ordeal, simply because they are of Chinese descent. That’s not smart national security policy—it’s just un-American.”
For decades, the U.S. has drawn some of the world’s brightest minds—particularly from China—to fill talent shortages and to maintain our competitive advantage. International students studying at U.S. colleges and universities also contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported over 375,000 jobs during the 2023-2024 academic year.
“Wholesale bans or revocations of visas severely diminish U.S. competitiveness and heighten suspicions of dual loyalty against Chinese Americans, or those perceived to be of Chinese descent. Past discriminatory policies that target people based on national origin have ruined innocent lives and cost us the talent we need to maintain our competitive edge,” the lawmakers continued. “We are concerned that the mass revocation of student visas may result in the indiscriminate loss of experienced scholars, researchers, and scientists who have generated top results at our nation’s leading institutions.
More than 277,000 Chinese students studied at an American higher education institution during the 2023-2024 academic term, making up the second-largest group of students from a foreign country, according to a report published by the State Department and the Institute of International Education.
The letter was signed by 32 Members of Congress: CAPAC Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán, Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10), Rep. Al Green (TX-09), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07), Rep. Dave Min (CA-47), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45), Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).
Read the full text of the letter below and here.
May 30, 2025
The Honorable Marco Rubio
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Rubio,
We write as members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), who represent Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander constituents across the United States, to inquire how your agency plans to implement the revocation of visas to Chinese students announced on May 28, 2025.
In your announcement, you articulate your collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security to “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.”1 We agree that anyone who comes to the United States under false pretenses to gather intelligence with the intention of benefitting a foreign adversary like the Chinese Communist Party has no place here, and should be addressed. However, the lack of any details about the process or standards by which you intend to conduct this review raises serious concerns that innocent students will be caught up in this ordeal, simply because they are of Chinese descent. That’s not smart national security policy—it’s just un-American.
American universities attract top talent from our competitors in part because they provide an avenue for individuals who wish to live and learn in a democracy. The freedoms America provides attract students from around the world and help science, research, and academic study flourish. They stand in stark contrast to the totalitarianism of the Chinese Communist Party, which can disappear anyone for any reason at a moment’s notice. These freedoms are why, for over two decades, more foreign-born scientists in the U.S. come from China than any other nation.2
Wholesale bans or revocations of visas severely diminish U.S. competitiveness and heighten suspicions of dual loyalty against Chinese Americans, or those perceived to be of Chinese descent. Past discriminatory policies that target people based on national origin have ruined innocent lives and cost us the talent we need to maintain our competitive edge. We are concerned that the mass revocation of student visas may result in the indiscriminate loss of experienced scholars, researchers, and scientists who have generated top results at our nation’s leading institutions.
Therefore, we request the following information provided within 30 days of receipt of this letter:
Can you describe the Department’s role in reviewing visas of Chinese students, including the complete process the Department will implement, how it will liaise with the Department of Homeland Security, and which Department officials will be involved?
What standard will the Department of State use to determine an individual’s connection to the Chinese Communist Party?
Can you clarify which “critical fields” the Department will be assessing as part of the visa review?
As part of its assessment, will the Department be considering whether repatriated individuals will face persecution from the Chinese Communist Party?
Will there be an appeal process for students, including those who fear retaliation from the Chinese Communist Party?
Will the Department commit to providing due process for all individuals whose visas are revoked, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States?
Can you please cite the statutory authority the Secretary will use to conduct this review?
Thank you for your timely response.
Sincerely,
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Founded in 1994, the bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is composed of 83 members of Congress who advocate on behalf of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The Caucus is led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who was elected CAPAC Chair in 2024.