Visa revocations for Chinese citizens could affect nearly one in four international students
68 undergraduates and 776 graduate students are citizens of China or Hong Kong
On May 28, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department and Department of Homeland Security would “aggressively” revoke visas of some Chinese international students. In particular, Rubio stated that the government would target students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those in “critical fields.” Students from both the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong could be affected.
While the government has not specified what fields it deems “critical,” outlets including The New York Times have speculated that the physical sciences will be particularly vulnerable to visa revocations. In a May 23 executive order, Trump emphasized artificial intelligence, quantum science, nuclear science, and biotechnology as key areas of research.
Visa revocations for Chinese students would have major impacts on MIT. According to the Registrar’s Office, MIT had 4,535 undergraduate and 7,351 graduate students in the 2024-25 school year. Of these, 68 (1.5%) and 776 (10.6%), respectively, were citizens of the PRC or Hong Kong. In total, 844 students (7.1% of all students) are from either country. These students account for 24.4% of MIT’s international population: 12.9% of international undergraduates, and 26.5% of international graduate students.
Even if only “critical fields” were affected, the Institute would likely see significant effects. An October 2020 study from Georgetown University estimated that across all U.S. universities, around 59% of Chinese international graduate students pursued science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). This fraction is likely higher at MIT, where 65% (4,810 out of 7,351) graduate students are affiliated with the School of Science, College of Computing, or School of Engineering. Moreover, MIT is a leader in each of the fields mentioned in the May 23 executive order.
Rubio’s announcement further complicates an already tense situation involving international students, scientific research, and U.S.-China relations. The Trump administration has previously terminated and restored SEVIS records for up to 4,700 students, including nine from MIT, attempted to remove Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, and paused all new student visa interviews. Meanwhile, funding cuts across federal agencies have threatened scientific and technological research, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. can “fight and win” against China.
MIT has repeatedly emphasized the importance of international students to its mission. In an April 14 statement, President Kornbluth wrote that SEVIS record terminations would “make it less likely that top talent from around the world will come to the US” and threaten American competitiveness, security, and science. At the May 29 OneMIT commencement ceremony, Kornbluth emphasized, “MIT would not be MIT without our international students.”
Institute spokesperson Kimberly Allen told The Tech that MIT is “deeply concerned” about the news on Chinese visa revocations. She said that MIT is “reaching out to those current and future students who may be affected.”
Suzanne Berger, a professor in the department of Political Science, said “the founders of innovative new companies” are often former international students. She called the potential loss of international students a “terrible blow to American universities and to American society.”
William Boone Bonvillian, a lecturer in Political Science and STS (Science, Technology, and Society), echoed Berger, saying “the data clearly shows that foreign students and immigrants make an outsized contribution to the US innovation system.” Bonvillian emphasized that “U.S. science and technology have thrived by attracting talent from all over the world.”
The MIT Chinese Student and Scholar Association and International Students Office did not respond to requests for comment by The Tech.