Imagine landing in the U.S. for your dream degree, only to face armed border officers, hours of interrogation, and sudden visa cancellations. For dozens of Chinese students arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport recently, this nightmare became reality. 🔍
‘Fever Dream’ Detentions
Media reports describe students being held for 50+ hours in detention rooms, their devices confiscated, and questions fired about political ties. One called it a 'fever dream' – no sleep, no contact with family, just relentless grilling. Some left with revoked visas and 5-year entry bans, their academic futures shattered. 📵
‘Strategic Competitor’ Fallout
With U.S. officials framing China as a 'strategic competitor,' students say they’re caught in crossfire. 'I studied AI to help people, not governments,' one told reporters. But suspicions about their research fields – from tech to policy – led to life-altering consequences. 📉
Academic Bridges Burned?
These incidents spotlight growing risks for international students amid U.S. political tensions. Over 290,000 Chinese students currently study in America, but such cases risk chilling academic exchange. As one detained student asked: 'Is this still the land of opportunity?' 🌉
