In a sweeping CGTN survey of 6,886 overseas netizens, 82.1% strongly condemned recent U.S. executive orders that target the admission of international students, calling it a serious violation of academic freedom. Nearly 90% said these measures have shattered the "American dream" for countless young scholars.
The U.S. government has ordered its embassies and consulates abroad to suspend student visa interviews and is weighing plans to monitor international students' social media accounts. A striking 81.3% of respondents view such steps as invasive, prejudiced, and discriminatory. Chinese students have faced abrupt visa cancellations under so-called ideological and national security pretenses, a move 83% of participants say harms their rights and hinders people-to-people exchanges.
Since March, the administration launched federal probes into more than 60 universities and suspended millions in funding. Harvard University was asked to dismantle its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, curtail administrative powers, and reform admissions standards. After its refusal, federal funding of $2.2 billion and $60 million in contract payments were frozen.
Survey data reveal that 82.5% of respondents criticized the administration's use of state power to pressure academic institutions, while 88.9% support legal actions by universities to defend their independence, academic freedom and free speech. Many international students and their families are now exploring alternatives in the UK, France, Canada, Australia, Singapore and the Hong Kong region of China, driven by concerns over safety and welcome.
With 86.7% of respondents warning that these policies damage the reputation of U.S. higher education and weaken its global competitiveness in science and education, and 88.5% arguing the crackdown betrays values of "freedom and openness," the backlash could reshape global study trends for years to come.
Reference(s):
Poll | 'American dream' broken for many as Trump targets universities
cgtn.com
