Republicans in the US House of Representatives plan to introduce a bill on Friday to block Chinese citizens from getting student visas, citing their potential to serve as spies for Beijing, and adding fresh fuel to a debate about attracting needed foreign talent while addressing national security concerns.

Freshman Rep. Riley Moore is backing legislation that would prohibit all Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas, in an effort to prevent them from spying on the American government or stealing advanced technology.

Republican legislation is opposed by some Democrats for its broad application: 'security must be achieved with a scalpel, not a bludgeon' Republicans in the US House of Representatives introduced a blunt and far-reaching bill on Friday that would block Chinese citizens from getting student visas,