A number of Chinese students met visa cancellations and deportation upon their arrival in the United States. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that in the last few months, tens of individuals, including students, have been deported on a monthly basis.
Mr. T, for instance, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University, had a bachelor’s degree from a top-tier university in Beijing.
On Dec. 19, 2023, U.S. customs interrogated him after entering through Washington Dulles International Airport. He was brought to a room for eight hours to answer a series of questions such as his field of study, scholarship, financial aid from the Chinese regime, and so on. His phone was examined.
After that, Mr. T was told his student visa F-1 was revoked and he is not allowed to enter the United States for five years.
Mr. M, another example, started his research at the National Cancer Institute, NIH in 2022, according to the Chinese report.
On Nov. 22, 2023, upon his arrival at Washington Dulles International Airport, customs brought him to the interrogation room and questioned him about his majors, advisers, any financial assistance from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the relevance and connections to his research with the PRC, Chinese military, or research institutes.
Deportations
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin admitted during a regular press conference on Jan. 4 that in recent months, tens of Chinese individuals, including students, have been compelled by U.S. authorities to return to China each month.“We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this,” said Mr. Wang, “China urges the United States to act on its commitment of welcoming Chinese students to study in the United States, withdraw the unjust Proclamation 10043 and stop bullying and restricting Chinese students in the name of national security.”
“The PRC authorities use some Chinese students, mostly post-graduate students and postdoctorate researchers, to operate as non-traditional collectors of intellectual property. Thus, students or researchers from the PRC studying or researching beyond the undergraduate level who are or have been associated with the PLA are at high risk of being exploited or co-opted by the PRC authorities and provide particular cause for concern,” read the proclamation.
In May 2021, the Biden administration eased restrictions on visas by expanding national interest exemptions for foreign students and academics from China.
However, Chinese students continue to meet challenges upon arrival.
In August 2021, U.S. officials deported three Chinese students on arrival at Houston Airport, for the three students were “funded by the Chinese government or suspected of having military backgrounds because photos of military training were found on their mobile phones,” reported the regime’s mouthpiece Xinhua News.
In August 2023, one student was suspected of having connections with the Wagner Group and was deported due to content related to the Ukraine crisis in a social media group chat.
