(ECNS) — Recent incidents of some Chinese international students with valid documents being harassed, interrogated, and deported by U.S. authorities suggest that such unlawful behaviour has only worsened, leaving the situation for Chinese international students in the U.S. far from improved.
A Chinese student surnamed Li, who graduated from a top-tier Chinese university, said that in January 2024, she travelled to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Maryland. Upon arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport, she was greeted by rude and unreasonable U.S. law enforcement officers and subjected to prolonged questioning in the secure interview room — a “small dark room.
The officers forcefully examined Li’s personal belongings, including her phone and computer, denied her request to contact the Chinese consulate, and repeatedly inquired about her party membership status, academic background, and mentor details.