Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, said on April 15 that the United States should “ban all Chinese nationals from studying at US schools.” The statement was made in response to data showing major declines in legal immigration metrics and focused on the effectiveness of ongoing border and visa enforcement measures, according to a post by Cortes on X.
The topic is significant as it relates to national security concerns and the impact of foreign student participation in American higher education. The United States hosted 265,919 Chinese students in the 2024-25 academic year, reflecting substantial foreign enrollment particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Federal reviews of certain visa programs have increased amid concerns over technology transfer and research security in sensitive areas, according to data compiled by the Institute of International Education.
Cortes’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny over international student visas and broader immigration reforms. The Federal Bureau of Investigation identified the Chinese government as posing a particular threat to U.S. academia through economic espionage and non-traditional intelligence collection. Foreign actors have targeted open academic environments to acquire research and intellectual property, with such efforts costing the U.S. economy between 225 billion and 600 billion dollars annually in lost innovation and revenue, according to its public assessments.
Cortes founded and leads the League of American Workers as an advocate for policies that prioritize American labor and economic security. He previously served in advisory roles for President Trump and Vice President Vance while appearing regularly as a commentator on national policy issues. His work centers on immigration reform, labor market protections, and strategies to strengthen domestic opportunities, according to information from the League of American Workers.
Founded in 2022 by political strategist and commentator Steve Cortes, LAW conducts research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.
