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Understanding the Recent Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Some Chinese Students, Researchers Effective June 1, 2020

A Message to International Chinese Students  

We look forward to welcoming you to the UC Davis campus as soon as that is possible. We understand that this may be an uncertain time for you and your family as you plan to begin fall quarter. Our team in Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) wants to offer information about a recent immigration issue being reported in the media.

You may have heard reports that some Chinese students have had their visas suspended, which would deny them entry into the U.S. We have heard the same reports, and we share your concerns. This is what we currently know about this situation:

  • The U.S. State Department appears to be following directions from a Presidential Proclamation dated May 29, 2020, which declared that some researchers and students at the graduate level and higher on F or J visas would be denied entry into the United States if they:
    • receive funding from an entity in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that implements or supports the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy, or
    • are currently or have been employed by, studied at, or conducted research at or on the behalf of an entity the People’s Republic of China or that supports the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy
  • Although the original proclamation did not include undergraduate students, it appears from some reports that undergraduates are among those who have had their visas revoked because of this proclamation.
  • Media and first-person reports indicate that those whose visas have been revoked have received an email notification from the U.S. State Department.
  • Unfortunately, SISS does not have a way to check the status of your visa, or to predict if your visa would be denied.
  • If you have not been notified by the U.S. State Department that your visa has been revoked, you can assume your visa is still valid.
  • At this time, if you are outside of the U.S., please be aware that travelers coming directly from China and some other countries are prohibited from entering the U.S.

At this time, if you are already in the U.S., having a canceled or revoked visa does not necessarily require you to leave the country. SISS will continue to monitor this situation and communicate directly with you, our students, should the circumstances change. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions or concerns and we will assist to the extent we are able.

Thank you for your patience and perseverance. We are excited to have you join us at UC Davis in the very near future.

Sincerely,

Wesley Young
Services for International Students and Scholars Director
Global Affairs

Originally posted: June 1, 2020
Last updated: June 4, 2020

Understanding the Recent Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Some Chinese Students, Researchers Effective June 1, 2020 

On May 29, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation effective June 1, 2020, that suspends entry into the United States for some researchers and students at the graduate level and higher on F or J visas. Specifically, this proclamation applies to those who:

  • receive funding from an entity in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that implements or supports the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy
  • are currently or have been employed by, studied at, or conducted research at or on the behalf of an entity the People’s Republic of China or that supports the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy

This proclamation is to be applied to individuals seeking to enter the U.S. In addition, it makes provision for the possibility that it could be applicable to nationals already in the U.S. on an F or J visa and who otherwise meet these criteria through a review and revocation of their visas by the U.S. Department of State.  

Please note that this does not apply to undergraduates, foreign nationals who are not studying or conducting research in a field that would contribute to the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy, legal permanent residents and their spouses, foreign nationals who are members of the United States Armed Forces or those who have a spouse or child who is a member, foreign nationals studying or researching in fields that would not contribute to the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy or whose entry would further the United States law enforcement objectives, among other exceptions.

At this time, there is no known termination date for this suspension. SISS is researching to find additional details about the proclamation’s implementation. The U.S. government has not published a list of the specific schools or areas of study and research that this proclamation covers.

Resources and FAQs:

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your SISS advisor with questions or concerns.

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Immigration Updates

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Immigration