Cotton wants cut in China students

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and his colleague, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., want to prevent Chinese nationals from pursuing graduate or postgraduate studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the United States.

Among other things, the bill would also require “universities, laboratories, and research institutes receiving federal funding to attest that they will not knowingly employ participants in China’s foreign talent recruitment programs,” according to a summary provided by Cotton’s office.

Earlier this month, a University of Arkansas engineering professor, Simon S. Ang, was arrested and charged with wire fraud. In order to obtain federal grant money, he is alleged to have concealed his Chinese government and business ties, making false statements along the way.

“The Chinese Communist Party has long used American universities to conduct espionage on the United States. What’s worse is that their efforts exploit gaps in current law. It’s time for that to end. The SECURE CAMPUS Act will protect our national security and maintain the integrity of the American research enterprise,” Cotton said.

The legislation, which prevents Chinese nationals from receiving visas for graduate studies in these areas, makes exceptions for students from Taiwan, Hong Kong and for members of oppressed ethnic or religious groups.

If approved, the president would be authorized to grant national security waivers for individual students when warranted.

Critics say the legislation would bar some of the world’s brightest students from the U.S.

“Ridiculous! Unimaginable damage to the US scientific community and leadership. This was not the message I got 15 yrs ago as a Chinese student coming to the US with dreams!,” tweeted Yan Xia, an assistant professor of chemistry at Stanford University.