Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, is pressing the State Department to suspend and cancel all F-1 and J-1 student visas held by Chinese nationals currently studying in the United States. In a letter dated July 20 addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Luna argued that the move is a necessary response to recently declassified intelligence detailing efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere in American elections.
“I write today to urge the immediate suspension and cancellation of all F-1 and J-1 student visas held by Chinese nationals currently studying at institutions of higher education across the United States, considering recently declassified intelligence detailing the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to interfere in American elections,” Luna wrote. The congresswoman had previously stated publicly that “every single Chinese student visa needs to be canceled immediately,” describing the step as “a necessary and proportionate response to a documented state-sponsored effort to undermine the integrity of American elections.”
The call follows a recent address by President Donald Trump, who claimed that declassified documents reveal that China carried out what he described as “the largest compromise of election data in history” during the 2020 election cycle. According to Trump, the breach resulted in China’s illicit acquisition of 220 million U.S. voter files, including names, addresses, phone numbers, political party preferences, and other sensitive data. Trump asserted that such information would be needed to register to vote and engage in other activities aimed at influencing U.S. elections.
In her letter, Luna urged the State Department to “immediately review and revoke all active Chinese national student visas, and to halt the issuance of new visas to Chinese nationals pending a full accounting of the extent of this infiltration and a comprehensive review of vetting procedures at our institutions of higher education.” She emphasized that the administration must prioritize national security and public safety in its visa processes.
Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department for comment on Tuesday. A department spokesperson declined to comment specifically on the congressional correspondence, stating, “We generally do not comment on congressional correspondence.” However, the spokesperson added, “The Trump Administration is protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
The proposal has drawn attention amid broader tensions between the United States and China over election interference allegations. China has dismissed Trump’s accusations as “entirely fabricated” and has threatened countermeasures. The Chinese government has consistently denied any involvement in meddling with U.S. elections, calling such claims baseless and politically motivated.
Luna’s letter also references a broader concern about the presence of Chinese nationals in U.S. academic institutions, which some lawmakers argue could be exploited for espionage or influence operations. The congresswoman’s demand for a comprehensive review of vetting procedures reflects a growing push within certain circles of the U.S. government to tighten scrutiny of foreign students, particularly those from countries perceived as strategic rivals.
The issue of Chinese student visas has been a recurring topic in U.S. political discourse, with some lawmakers calling for stricter controls in the name of national security. Critics of such measures, however, warn that broad visa cancellations could harm academic exchanges and damage the reputation of U.S. universities, which rely heavily on international students for both cultural diversity and revenue. The debate continues as the Trump administration signals a tough stance on China-related security concerns.
