The proposed “Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act” (Stop CCP VISAs Act) in the United States House of Representatives represents a disgraceful and politically motivated attack on China and a vile smear on Chinese people, which infringes academic freedom and betrays the core principles of higher education.
This legislation, grounded in baseless paranoia, seeks to prohibit all Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas, excluding hundreds of thousands of talented, law-abiding Chinese students from pursuing their academic aspirations in the US. Far from enhancing national security, this measure only weakens the intellectual and economic foundations of the nation it claims to protect. By unjustly targeting an entire group based on nationality, it undermines the values of fairness, inclusivity, and global collaboration that have long defined the US education system. Academic freedom and inclusivity are not just lofty ideals, but the bedrock of a vibrant and progressive education system. This legislation threatens to erode these principles.
At the heart of this ill-conceived policy lies an absurd and unfounded generalization — that all Chinese students pose a national-security risk. The allegation that most of these students are spies working on behalf of the Communist Party of China is not only preposterous but utterly devoid of evidence. The overwhelming majority of Chinese students come to the US with a singular purpose: to pursue academic excellence. They contribute immensely to scientific research, technological innovation, and cross-cultural intellectual exchange. If there are isolated cases of wrongdoing, they should be addressed through appropriate legal channels, not by imposing a blanket ban that indiscriminately punishes innocent students. Such collective punishment, based on nationality alone, is reminiscent of historical injustices that the world has long condemned.
This proposal (the Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act in the United States House of Representatives) echoes exclusionary policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, a racially discriminatory law that remains a dark stain on American history. The xenophobic rhetoric surrounding this bill also mirrors the Joseph McCarthy-era hysteria of the early 1950s, which led to widespread baseless accusations and the destruction of countless innocent lives
Beyond this proposal’s moral and ethical failures, its economic consequences are equally indefensible. Chinese students have consistently been the largest group of international students in the US, contributing billions of dollars annually to the US economy. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students contributed approximately $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-24 academic year, supporting over 378,000 jobs. A significant portion of this economic benefit is derived from Chinese students, whose tuition fees sustain American universities, fund cutting-edge research programs, and create employment opportunities across multiple sectors. By banning these students, the US would be inflicting severe self-harm by exacerbating financial difficulties in its academic institutions and accelerating the decline of its global educational dominance. Universities, already grappling with budget constraints, would be forced to reduce faculty positions, cut essential programs, and limit research funding — developments that would ultimately weaken the institutions.
The intellectual loss resulting from such a policy is incalculable. Chinese students are driving forces behind groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Center for Security and Emerging Technology reports that nearly 30 percent of international graduate students in STEM fields are Chinese, filling crucial research positions and contributing significantly to medical breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and clean-energy technologies. Ironically, while American policymakers claim to be safeguarding intellectual property, they would be sabotaging their research institutions by cutting off access to some of the brightest minds in the world. The exclusion of these scholars would diminish the quality of academic discourse and slow scientific and technological progress, placing the US at a severe competitive disadvantage on the global stage.
More broadly, this legislation represents a stark violation of fundamental human rights and international norms. Multiple international agreements, including the United Nations Convention Against Discrimination in Education, protect the right to education. Denying students access to education based on nationality would be a morally indefensible act that tarnishes the US’ reputation as a global leader. A nation that claims to champion democracy, fairness, and equal opportunity cannot, in good faith, endorse a policy that institutionalizes discrimination. If enacted, this bill would reinforce the perception that the US governs through fear, rather than principles of justice and reason. This is not just a policy issue, but a human rights crisis that demands immediate attention and action.
The historical parallels to past injustices are undeniable. This proposal echoes exclusionary policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, a racially discriminatory law that remains a dark stain on American history. The xenophobic rhetoric surrounding this bill also mirrors the Joseph McCarthy-era hysteria of the early 1950s, which led to widespread baseless accusations and the destruction of countless innocent lives. In recent years, Chinese students and researchers have already faced unjust persecution under initiatives such as the now-defunct “China Initiative”, which was widely condemned for racial profiling. This new legislation is simply a continuation of that discriminatory legacy, designed to foster fear and paranoia rather than to implement meaningful “national security” measures.
The most tragic and unjust consequence of this policy would be its profound impact on the lives of young Chinese students who have dedicated years of sacrifice, hard work, and determination to achieve their academic dreams. For many, studying in the US represents an opportunity to access a world-class education, engage in global academic collaboration, and contribute meaningfully to society. These students are not political operatives but individuals with aspirations and ambitions, seeking knowledge and personal growth. Subjecting them to blanket suspicion and barring them from education based on unfounded fears would be both unjust and inhumane. The psychological toll of such exclusionary policies is immense, sending a clear message that they are unwelcome — not because of their actions, but simply because of their nationality. It’s a heartbreaking situation that we, as a global community, should not tolerate.
Recognizing the devastating consequences of such a policy, American universities have repeatedly warned against restricting Chinese students. Leading institutions such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University have emphasized the necessity of academic collaboration beyond political disputes. Universities must remain sanctuaries of intellectual exchange, not arenas for geopolitical conflicts. If this legislation were to be enacted, the US would also suffer — finding itself increasingly isolated, being deprived of global talent, and struggling to maintain its status as a world leader in education and research.
This visa-ban proposal is not a genuine attempt to strengthen national security; it is a manifestation of xenophobia, political opportunism, and an irrational fear of China’s rise.
The author is a solicitor, a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area lawyer, and a China-appointed attesting officer.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
