Opinion: The U.S. Made a Terrible Mistake When It Deported Qian Xuesen

Overview

• Published Date: May 30, 2025
• Author: Kathleen Kingsbury, Opinion editor at The New York Times

Key Points

Introduction

• Qian Xuesen was a brilliant Chinese rocket scientist in the U.S.
• He played a pivotal role in aerospace, weaponry, and was involved in the Manhattan Project.
• Despite his contributions, he was deported from the U.S. in 1955.

Qian Xuesen's Contributions in the U.S.

• Worked at California Institute of Technology and M.I.T.
• Helped develop America's first guided ballistic missiles.
• Held a colonel rank in the U.S. Air Force.
• Worked on the Manhattan Project and interrogated Nazi scientists.
• Was working on designing a rocket for America's first manned space mission.

Deportation and Its Implications

• Arrested and handcuffed at the height of his career, later cleared of charges.
• Deported to China in exchange for American prisoners.
• Immediately contributed to China's missile and space programs.
• By 1980, China developed missiles capable of reaching major U.S. and Russian cities.

Current Relevance

• Similar policies under Trump's administration targeting foreign students, particularly Chinese.
• Marco Rubio announced aggressive revocation of Chinese student visas.
• Qian's story serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of xenophobia.

Historical Context and Impact

• Part of McCarthy's Red Scare, faced revocation of security clearance.
• U.S. missed a chance to dominate in space exploration.
• Qian's contributions helped China become a superpower.

Educational Exchange and Strategic Advantage

• Qian came to the U.S. under an educational exchange program.
• Program aimed to promote American values and foster global peace.
• 1960s: Majority of China’s top scientists trained in America.

Legacy

• Qian became a national hero in China.
• Never returned to the U.S., became a leader in the Chinese Communist Party.
• A museum in China honors his contributions.

Conclusion

• The decision to deport Qian Xuesen changed global power dynamics.
• Highlights the risks of alienating international talent.
• America’s educational exchange once enhanced its strategic advantage, now being challenged.

Author's Background

• Kathleen Kingsbury is an experienced journalist with a Pulitzer Prize.
• Joined The New York Times in 2017.

Additional Information

• The article originally appeared in print on June 1, 2025, in The New York edition.
• The story sheds light on historical and contemporary issues of immigration and talent retention.