Nikki Haley, often seen as a favorite among establishment Republicans, has expressed her opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposal to allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in U.S. universities.
On November 14th, Haley shared on her X account, “Allowing 600,000 Chinese students to enter the United States is a huge mistake. That would be a great gift to China and a threat to the United States.”
Kevin Lin, founder of US Tech Workers, commented, “This is political opportunism on her part, but she’s grasping the situation correctly from a MAGA perspective.” He added, “Nikki Haley is the epitome of a political opportunist.”
Lin noted that Haley’s ability to read public sentiment may stem from her son’s recent advocacy for issues affecting American youth.
In a Nov. 9 article about the widening divide between older Republicans and Gen Z, freshman Nalin Haley shared, “My friends from high school are all alumni with impressive degrees, but it’s been a year and a half, and none have jobs. That frustrates me. My parents landed jobs right after school, but I now have to help my friends find work.”
Lin remarked, “He emphasizes that we need to consider all immigrants with the American people’s best interests in mind.” He observed that public opinion on this topic has shifted significantly.
Haley’s remarks followed Trump’s statement on November 10, where he mentioned admitting 600,000 Chinese students, which triggered backlash from the MAGA crowd.
Lin suggested that Trump’s mention of the 600,000 figure could have been an error. “He conflated a total of 1.2 million,” Lin stated, explaining that Trump should have referred to a smaller group instead. “They should have clarified that statement.”
Lin further noted that the growing number of Chinese students is limiting available university spots for American students. He highlighted that many Chinese students manage to secure work permits through extensive optional practical training programs, which often prevents American graduates from obtaining entry-level jobs.
“From 2010 to 2022, the University of Pittsburgh’s Chinese student population surged from 456 to 1,791,” Lin pointed out, indicating that while these students are finding employment, many American graduates are struggling.
In recent times, Trump and his administration have sought to reduce the presence of international students and have set new limits on H-1B workers.
However, this position is met with strong resistance from universities benefiting from foreign students who pay tuition and obtain work permits for internships. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has echoed these concerns, warning that many universities would face financial ruin if foreign students were barred.
Haley’s criticism of Trump was somewhat unexpected, given her advocacy for allowing businesses to determine immigration needs. Reports in 2023 by Breitbart News pointed to Haley’s pro-immigration stance as she campaigns against Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination.
During a campaign event in New Hampshire, Haley told her supporters that U.S. CEOs should be permitted to bring in as many foreign workers as they deem necessary.
She stated, “For far too long, immigration policy has been based on arbitrary quotas. We’re looking at how many we need this year and so forth.”
“Consider sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and technology. We want individuals who will elevate us,” she emphasized.
This technology reference highlights that many jobs in white-collar fields are being filled by cheaper foreign graduates instead of qualified American candidates.
Haley continued: “We need to meet those demands to strengthen our economy.” She reiterated the importance of legal immigration in preserving America’s structure while advocating for embracing beneficial policies.
As a daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley maintains strong ties to the immigrant landscape.
