U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday assured Chinese international students studying in the United States that they would be fine, despite his administration’s recent tightening of academic visa rules.
“We just want to check out the individual students we have. And that’s true with all colleges,” Trump told reporters, adding, “They’re going to be OK. It’s going to work out fine.”
This softer stance came after a federal judge on Thursday extended a temporary block on the administration’s attempt to stop Harvard University from enrolling new international students.
Earlier in the week, the Trump administration signaled plans to restrict visas specifically for Chinese students, part of a broader campaign against higher education institutions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking Wednesday, pledged to “aggressively” revoke student visas. Thousands have reportedly been canceled already, including some over anti-Israel activism, minor traffic violations, and other infractions.
Tensions remain high between the White House and Harvard, as the university refuses to hand over a list of international students the government is requesting. “I don’t know why Harvard’s not giving us the list. There’s something going on,” Trump said, suggesting the list contains “names that supposedly are quite bad.”
Despite the political standoff, Harvard President Alan Garber received a one-minute standing ovation during this week’s graduation ceremony after calling on universities to remain “firm” in defending their students.
“We want people that can love our country and take care of our country and cherish our country,” Trump said.
International students make up just under 6% of the U.S. university population a modest figure compared to the U.K., where they comprise around 25%.
Follow News Review on Facebook and X
