By Liz Lee and Larissa Liao BEIJING (Reuters) -When 25-year-old biology student Yao's PhD program enrollment was deferred due to funding cuts at her U.S. university, she joined a growing list of Chinese students exploring other destinations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that he's revoked at least 300 visas of students he described as "lunatics," citing pro-Palestinian support or activism, activities that are normally considered protected First Amendment rights, USA TODAY reported.

Many international students are being forced to leave the United States after President Donald Trump administration began aggressively revoke student visas.