Barring talent undermines Washington's research edge

A US House committee's recent demand for detailed information on Chinese students and scholars from six prominent universities in the United States is a chilling echo of McCarthy-era paranoia.

This action not only defies common sense but also threatens the US' long-term interests, particularly in science and technology. If the US is serious about maintaining its global leadership in innovation, it cannot afford to alienate or drive away the very talent that fuels its progress.

The universities targeted by the committee include Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, the University of Illinois, the University of Maryland, and the University of Southern California. These institutions are renowned for their cutting-edge research and have historically attracted top talent from around the world, including China.

The committee alleges that Chinese researchers are embedding in US institutions to access sensitive technologies with potential military applications.

Once the largest source of international students in the US, with over 370,000 Chinese nationals studying at US universities before the COVID-19 pandemic, China has now fallen to the second spot for the first time in 10 years with more than 270,000 students. Many of these students go on to earn advanced degrees in critical fields, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor engineering and biotechnology — areas where the US faces stiff competition from China and other global powers.

According to the National Science Foundation, nearly 40 percent of US doctoral degrees in engineering and computer science are awarded to Chinese nationals. The overwhelming majority of these graduates choose to stay in the US, contributing to research and innovation, launching startups and strengthening the US' technological base.

By casting aspersions on Chinese students and scholars, the US Congress risks disrupting this invaluable pipeline. Already, the chilling effect of heightened scrutiny has led to declining applications from Chinese students to US universities, with many opting for the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia instead. The House committee's latest action will only accelerate this trend, pushing more of the world's brightest minds toward competing nations.

If there is one arena in which the US cannot afford to fall behind, it is science and technology. While policymakers focus on restricting Chinese talent, China is rapidly investing in its own research and development. The US, by contrast, is shooting itself in the foot. Instead of tightening the flow of talent, the US should be doubling down on attracting and retaining the world's best minds — wherever they come from.

Consider the semiconductor industry, where US companies such as Nvidia, Intel and Qualcomm depend on international talent to maintain their edge. Many of these companies rely heavily on Chinese engineers and researchers, many of whom first arrived as students at US universities. Rather than vilifying these individuals, the US should be actively ensuring that they stay, work and innovate in the US rather than taking their expertise and discarding it.

Beyond the immediate damage to the US research ecosystem, the broader push to delink from China in academic and technological exchanges is deeply misguided. Scientific progress does not happen in isolation; it is the result of collaboration, cross-pollination of ideas and global partnerships. US research institutions and corporations have long benefited from their connections to Chinese universities and laboratories. Cutting off these ties in the name of national security would slow innovation on both sides, but it would especially hurt the US, which thrives on an open exchange of knowledge.

Moreover, the notion that severing academic ties with China will somehow enhance US security is flawed. True national security comes not from paranoia, but from maintaining an undeniable lead in technology and innovation. That means fostering an environment that welcomes global talent, supports cutting-edge research, and ensures that the US remains the most attractive place in the world for scientists and engineers.

If history has taught us anything, it is that fear-driven policies often do more harm than good. During the Cold War, anti-communist hysteria led to the unjust persecution of academics, artists and government officials. Some of the brightest minds of that era — including Nobel laureates — faced scrutiny simply for their alleged political beliefs or national origins. The result? A brain drain that weakened, rather than strengthened, US intellectual and scientific progress.

The parallels today are unmistakable. Singling out Chinese students and scholars based on nationality is not just ethically wrong; it is strategically foolish. It signals to the world that the US is retreating into fear rather than embracing its traditional role as the world's leader in education, research and technological progress.

Different approach

If the US Congress truly wants to safeguard innovation and security, it should take a different approach.

First, it should strengthen retention policies instead of making life more difficult for international students. It should expand visa opportunities, fast-track green cards for STEM graduates, and provide incentives for top-tier talent to stay.

Second, it should focus on research integrity, not nationality. National security concerns in research should be addressed through rigorous institutional safeguards, ethical guidelines and stronger cybersecurity measures — not by singling out individuals based on their country of origin.

Third, it should enhance collaboration, not isolation. The US should actively engage in collaborative research with China in areas of mutual interest, such as climate science, public health and space exploration. Scientific engagement is not a weakness — it is a strategic asset.

Fourth, it should promote US research leadership instead of scapegoating Chinese students. Congress should focus on making US institutions more competitive. Increased federal funding for research, expanded partnerships with the private sector and improvements in STEM education would go much further in strengthening national security than draconian measures targeting foreign scholars. Ironically, we seem to be pointed in the opposite direction.

Last but not least, it should ensure fair and transparent investigations. If there are legitimate concerns about intellectual property theft or espionage, investigations should be conducted with due process, transparency and a focus on actual wrongdoing, rather than broad-based suspicion. Punishing innocent researchers will only weaken US scientific leadership in the long run by destroying the levels of transparency that have allowed us to become an innovation leader.

The US became a global superpower in science and technology because it was open, not closed. It thrived by attracting the best and brightest minds from around the world, not by driving them away. The House committee's approach to Chinese students is not just reminiscent of McCarthyism; it is a direct threat to US' ability to compete in the 21st century. Instead of repeating the mistakes of the past, Congress must chart a smarter course — one that embraces global talent rather than alienating it.

If the US truly wants to win the innovation race, it must recognize that its greatest strength has always been its openness, not its fear.

The author is a nonresident fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a think tank based in Washington, DC, the United States.