Survivors of Mao Zedong’s regime in China are expressing concerns over President Donald Trump’s recent announcement allowing 600,000 Chinese students to attend universities in the U.S. One such survivor, Xi Van Fleet, shared her confusion, stating, “I’m just really confused by this decision.”
On August 25, Trump revealed that these students would be permitted entry into the U.S., a move that coincided with ongoing tensions in trade talks between the two nations. This decision drew mixed reactions, even from some of Trump’s supporters, who felt embarrassed and critical. One vocal supporter remarked, “We want more money and let them come here to access our technology and oppose us. I’m really disappointed. I haven’t heard a good reason for it yet.”
Van Fleet, who escaped China at 26, voiced concerns about the implications of this proposal. She remarked on the elite status of many coming to study and described them as a “real danger.” When she reached out for a comment, the White House referred back to previous statements made by them. A White House official clarified, saying, “President Trump has not proposed an increase in student visas for Chinese students. The 600K refers to two years’ worth of visas and is a continuation of existing policies.”
Lora Ries, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Border Guard and Immigration Center, criticized the two-year claim, arguing, “It makes no sense,” since foreign students typically pursue four-year degrees.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the initiative, emphasizing its economic benefits. He stated, “The president believes that without these 600,000 students, top universities could lose potential students and go out of business.” However, Van Fleet expressed skepticism about the actual influx of students, noting economic strains in China that she believes would limit their ability to study abroad.
Reflecting on what she would like to convey to Trump, Van Fleet suggested he should restrict Chinese students from studying “critical fields” but welcomed studies in the humanities, saying, “I think it’s a great idea to have them come here to study humanity, social science.”
