Members of the Communist Party of China (CCP) living in the U.S. have set up overseas party branches on American campuses, with some backing from a Chinese university, according to findings from a survey. The announcement reveals that CCP affiliates from two Chinese institutions have established branches at Oklahoma State University (OSU), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and University of Colorado-Denver (UCD). These groups are currently not recognized as student organizations within the U.S. system. The investigation identified over 20 CCP members involved with these branches, many of whom have degrees from various American universities, including the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In an interview, President Donald Trump stated that his administration would permit 600,000 Chinese citizens to study in the U.S., arguing that revoking student visas would be detrimental to American universities. However, some Republican officials, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Arizona Senator Eli Crane, criticized this approach, labeling it a significant national security threat.
One Republican, John Mourenard from Michigan, emphasized the need for stronger protective measures. He noted that without them, sensitive research could end up benefiting military applications in Beijing. Mourenard pointed out the challenge of encouraging international academic collaboration while safeguarding American values against foreign influences.
Overseas CCP Influence
The Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU) operates an overseas party branch at UNL and claims its programs uphold socialist principles. According to the university’s announcement, every student involved in this overseas initiative appears to be a CCP member. An announcement from NWAFU made it clear that they are committed to ideological goals through their overseas branches.
In 2015, 55 students from NWAFU’s Faculty of Food Science and Engineering joined a collaborative program at UNL, and by 2018, NWAFU publicly recognized its overseas party branch’s establishment there. Interestingly, at least 13 students linked to this branch have been identified, with their profiles still available on platforms like LinkedIn.
During a CCP conference in July 2025, NWAFU touted its overseas branch’s effectiveness, explaining how it integrates CCP ideology into student life both in China and abroad. A member of the UNL branch remarked that “food security” is seen as a core mission of their collaborative program, which also emphasizes “educating people for the party.”
Other meetings have touched on themes of “patriotism” and virtual seminars that connect overseas members. In a recent notice, NWAFU expressed a focus on developing strong patriotic sentiments among overseas students.
One member, “Kayla” Yu Yafan, currently studying biochemistry at UNL, stated that Chinese students abroad have a duty to “repay knowledge to the party and the country.” Yu emphasized a sense of identity tied to both their Chinese heritage and their allegiance to the CCP.
A separate online presence identified another member, Penbo, as a doctoral student in UNL’s Food Science and Technology Bureau. Penbo’s commitment to maintaining close ties with the CCP was highlighted at an event in China.
Some members from NWAFU have moved to other U.S. universities, like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while others are noted to have joined the University of Illinois, which has received students linked to previous overseas CCP groups.
Kate Bierly, a higher education policy analyst, warned that these CCP members may acquire sensitive research with potential military applications. This poses a national security risk, she asserted, stating that the CCP’s loyalty is in stark contrast to American interests.
Additionally, some members have military backgrounds. Although the specifics of one individual’s military experience remain unclear, presentations from NWAFU have shown other students engaging in military-related training. Nebraska Democratic Sen. Elliot Bostar pointedly remarked that such military affiliations should raise alarms for American higher education institutions.
Bostar has introduced legislation aimed at targeting CCP influences in Nebraska. If passed, this bill would require individuals from hostile nations like China to register, with penalties for non-compliance.
Michael Lucci, the head of a nonprofit focused on countering CCP efforts, expressed strong concerns about the presence of CCP members on U.S. campuses, suggesting that universities are overlooking clear security vulnerabilities. He insisted that CCP-affiliated groups should not occupy American college grounds and lamented the failure of institutions to address these issues adequately.
National Security Concerns
Beijing International College and China Agricultural University are known to operate branches at UCD and OSU. These branches actively promote CCP ideology among students, with one meeting in 2016 aimed at refining methods to present the party’s narrative to American peers.
In line with these efforts, all students enrolled in the ICB program at UCD must first take political ideology courses. The ICB has indicated participation from students at both UCD and OSU branches.
Representatives from UCD and OSU have not responded to requests for commentary regarding these developments.
