President Trump recently suggested the U.S. could admit up to 600,000 Chinese students to study at American universities. The White House later clarified that there were no plans to expand F-1 visa issuance and that these numbers were cumulative over two years. Still, the proposal has sparked debate over whether this move strengthens or undermines America’s long-term interests.
Proponents argue that opening American campuses to foreign students, particularly those from China, would bring significant financial and economic benefits.
But should American colleges be reliant on overinflated student visas to operate?
Allowing large numbers of foreign students reduces opportunities for young Americans. In an interview with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Fox News host Laura Ingraham noted that “those are 600,000 spots that American kids won’t get,” pointing out that American engineering and STEM graduates already struggle to find jobs.
Welcoming such a large number of students from communist China also undermines national security. Look no further than the latest news of a Chinese researcher at the University of Texas charged with espionage. Yunhai Li, 35, who came to the US on a research scholar visa, stands accused of downloading 90 gigabytes of confidential files from the federally funded medical project. Fortunately, he was stopped at customs at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport as he tried to board a flight back to China.
Foreign students often use “Optional Practical Training” and programs like H-1B visas to stay in the U.S. permanently, taking jobs away from American graduates. This system creates a pipeline of cheap, compliant labor for corporations, leaving American families behind in the meantime. Opening the door so widely risks making universities overly dependent on foreign tuition dollars.
The question goes far beyond tuition revenue. It touches on national security, the America First agenda, and the future of higher education in the U.S. At Texans for Strong Borders, we believe American students and workers must always come first. During the 89th Legislative Session here in Texas, we supported legislation by Rep. Keresa Richardson to limit foreign student enrollment at state colleges and universities to five percent of the total student population.