Lawmaker moves to ban Chinese students from US school visas

House Republicans are taking a stand against Chinese nationals obtaining student visas in the United States. Rep. Riley Moore from West Virginia is spearheading the effort to introduce the Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act, also known as the Stop CCP VISAs Act. This legislation aims to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from exploiting American visa programs meant for studying in the U.S.

According to Rep. Moore, nearly 300,000 Chinese nationals come to the U.S. on student visas every year, providing opportunities for the CCP to spy on military activities, steal intellectual property, and pose threats to national security. He highlighted a recent incident where five Chinese nationals, who were former University of Michigan students participating in a joint program with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, were accused of spying on the U.S. military during a training operation with the Taiwanese military.

In response to these concerns, Rep. Moore is calling for a complete ban on student visas for Chinese nationals. He emphasized the urgency of addressing China’s exploitation of the student visa program and urged Congress to take action.

However, this proposed legislation is likely to face opposition from Asian American and progressive groups. Similar attempts to restrict Chinese nationals from studying in the U.S. have been criticized in the past for racial profiling and discriminatory practices. Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) previously condemned Sen. Tom Cotton from Arkansas for suggesting limitations on fields of study or visa options for Chinese students, citing concerns about racial profiling and racism.

As the debate over Chinese nationals obtaining student visas continues, it is essential to consider the implications of such policies on national security, intellectual property protection, and international relations. The issue raises important questions about balancing academic opportunities with security concerns in an increasingly globalized world.

Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is closely following developments in the House of Representatives regarding this legislation. For more updates on this issue and other political news, follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.