Despite having valid U.S. visas, Chinese graduate students were still deported.

Amid escalating political tensions between the United States and China, over a dozen Chinese graduate students with valid U.S. visas have faced unexpected deportations in recent months. These students, enrolled in Ph.D. science programs at prestigious universities like Yale and Johns Hopkins, were denied re-entry to the U.S. after visiting their families in China. The reasons for their abrupt deportations remain unclear, leaving their academic institutions grappling with finding solutions for them to complete their research and obtain their degrees.

The affected students, who have chosen to remain anonymous due to concerns about their chances of returning to the U.S., have shared their distressing experiences. One student's ordeal included a 50-hour process involving intense interrogation, solitary confinement, and a mandated expensive one-way ticket back to China. Despite efforts by legal representatives and university officials to understand and challenge these deportations, the students are facing a ban of up to five years from returning to the U.S.

The uncertainty surrounding these deportations has sparked fear and uncertainty among Chinese students considering pursuing advanced degrees in the U.S. The potential consequences of being denied entry despite possessing a valid visa have raised doubts about the value of pursuing education in the U.S. and have put a damper on the aspirations of many aspiring scholars. The chilling effect of these incidents is not only affecting the individual students but also posing a threat to the diversity and excellence of scientific research in the U.S.

The lack of transparency in the decision-making process by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has added to the confusion surrounding these deportations. While the CBP has the authority to deny entry based on national security concerns, the criteria for such decisions, particularly concerning Chinese scholars, remain ambiguous. The impact of a directive issued by former President Donald Trump in 2020, empowering CBP to refuse entry to Chinese students associated with institutions promoting the acquisition of foreign technologies with potential military applications, has further complicated the situation.

Efforts by legal representatives to challenge the bans have faced obstacles, with limited avenues for redress and a lack of accountability from CBP. Some affected students are exploring alternatives, such as transferring to universities in Europe or working remotely from their home countries. Meanwhile, academic institutions like Yale are exploring options to support affected students, including remote work arrangements, although limitations exist, especially for students at early stages of their graduate programs.

The dearth of official data and communication from CBP regarding the reasons for these deportations has led to speculation and theories among the academic community. While some patterns, such as the involvement of specific CBP agents in multiple cases, have been observed, the lack of conclusive information has fueled uncertainty and mistrust. Despite the challenges faced by these students, efforts are ongoing to advocate for their rights and seek solutions to enable them to continue their academic pursuits.

(Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/valid-u-s-visa-didn-t-stop-these-chinese-graduate-students-being-deported)