United States Sinophobia Tracker

Tracking paranoid rhetoric, visa restrictions, and the targeted policing of China-connected research, which combine to create a hostile atmosphere for Chinese people in the U.S.

About This Page

“Faculty members, post-docs, research staff and students tell me that, in their dealings with government agencies, they now feel unfairly scrutinized, stigmatized and on edge – because of their Chinese ethnicity alone.”

—MIT President L. Rafael Reif, June 25, 2019.

Since early 2018, the American immigration and justice system has appeared to target Chinese students, and ethnically Chinese researchers, with paranoid rhetoric, visa restrictions, and targeted policing and politicization of China-connected research. Together, these three trends comprise the primary — but not only — components of the current atmosphere of suspicion and distrust in America of not just Beijing, but Chinese people as a whole.

This tool tracks rising Sinophobia in the U.S. Click on the filters to view different categories of Sinophobia-related developments, including Responses to Sinophobia, like the letter by the MIT President cited above.

Read about why The China Project launched this Sinophobia Tracker, in the words of our Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Goldkorn.

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Responses to Sinophobia

A letter to the Columbia engineering community

"It is important for each of us in Columbia Engineering to reflect on the importance of our commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming community for all students, faculty, researchers, and administrative staff. As a School of Engineering and Applied Science, we are fortunate to attract students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, from across the country, and from around the world," wrote Mary C. Boyce, Dean of Columbia University's engineering school.

June 13, 2019 Columbia University

Responses to Sinophobia

A statement by the President and Provost of Case Western University

"Let us be clear: Diversity is a core value at Case Western Reserve. It is essential to advancing our educational and research missions. Our outstanding, creative and dedicated international faculty, students, staff and our collaborations strengthen our community in countless ways, and we value and respect all that they bring to our campus."

June 11, 2019 Case Western University

Responses to Sinophobia

Citing U.S.–China tensions, Zimmer affirms commitment to international students

"In light of recent U.S.–China tensions, University President Robert Zimmer sent an all-University e-mail on Monday morning in which he stressed UChicago’s ongoing commitment to supporting international students and academics," reported The Chicago Maroon, a University paper.

June 10, 2019 Chicago Maroon

Responses to Sinophobia

University of Maryland statement: ‘UMD’s commitment to international collaborations and the international community on campus’

"The challenge of U.S. research universities, including the University of Maryland, is to safeguard our academic values and our nation's legitimate interests. At stake are American leadership in education, research, and innovation in the 21st century and the resilience of our democracy," wrote University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh.

May 30, 2019 University of Maryland

Responses to Sinophobia

Statement: ‘Yale’s steadfast commitment to our international students and scholars’

"We pair our unequivocal commitment to careful research stewardship with another: international students and scholars are welcome and respected on our campus. We appreciate the expertise, creativity, and dedication they bring to our shared pursuit of knowledge and truth, and we affirm their belonging as members of the Yale community," wrote Yale University President Peter Salovey.

May 23, 2019 Yale University

Responses to Sinophobia

Statement: ‘Message from President David Leebron to the Rice community’

"Blanket generalizations regarding any group are dangerous, and risk leading to racial profiling and other forms of discrimination. Indeed, such discrimination has been felt more broadly by those of Asian descent, whether immigrants or not. On our campus, discrimination on the basis of citizenship, national origin or race is a clear violation of our policies," wrote Rice University President David Leebron.

May 17, 2019 Rice University

Responses to Sinophobia

University of Delaware: ‘Our commitment to international scholarship’

"The University of Delaware is committed to enabling the success of our students, building inclusive excellence, strengthening global initiatives and investing in our intellectual capital, as well as other priorities. International scholarship is absolutely integral to these commitments," wrote University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis and Provost Robin Morgan.

May 10, 2019 University of Delaware

Responses to Sinophobia

UC Davis Statement: ‘Reaffirming commitment to our international community’

"Let there be no doubt: At UC Davis, we highly value our international researchers, scholars and students. Indeed, our international relationships and collaborations form an essential part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion," wrote UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. Mary.

April 22, 2019 UC Davis