We all know that if you have something valuable, you need to protect it. We lock our houses when we’re away, and we put especially valuable items in safes. But it turns out that we’ve left the safe open and the door unlocked for one of the most important institutions in our state: the education system.
Texas and America’s enemies know that they can do lasting damage by influencing our education system. This is why billions of dollars have flowed into Texas schools over the past ten years, including $432 million from countries hostile to the United States. These hostile nations—China, and Russia among them—aren’t simply making donations out of goodwill. They are leveraging their investments to gain influence and advance their agendas. The effects of this interference could be disastrous for Texas students and for our nation as a whole.
The damage caused by foreign influence on our education system isn’t always obvious or immediate, but it is insidious. One clear threat is intellectual property theft, which jeopardizes cutting-edge research and innovation being conducted in our universities. This threat is not hypothetical: a Texas A&M professor working on U.S. space projects was recently charged with hiding affiliations with Chinese state-owned institutions, engaging in wire fraud, and other crimes. Cases like this highlight the very real risks of espionage that accompany foreign funding.
But the harm doesn’t stop there. These foreign actors may also be embedding subtle propaganda into curricula, influencing how students perceive certain countries, or eroding the patriotic spirit that has long been a cornerstone of American identity. Such influence could alter how the next generation of leaders’ views geopolitics, potentially weakening our position on the global stage.
Current federal law does not do enough about these threats. Universities are only required to report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000, leaving a wide loophole for hostile nations to exploit. Smaller donations can still exert significant influence, particularly when they are spread across numerous institutions or funneled through intermediaries. The lack of stringent oversight creates fertile ground for covert pressure campaigns, intellectual property theft, and other forms of interference.
The problem is bigger than we think. Texas schools have reported receiving $2.1 billion in gifts from foreign entities. However, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education revealed that an additional $2.2 billion in gifts went unreported. This underreporting highlights the need for more robust transparency and accountability measures at the state level. Without these safeguards, Texans remain in the dark about the extent to which foreign actors are influencing our education system.
It’s time for Texas to take decisive action to protect its students and educators from foreign interference. One solution is by the Texas Legislature to lead the nation by requiring all public universities and school districts in Texas to report every foreign gift they receive, regardless of the amount. Furthermore, the act would go a step further by prohibiting schools from accepting funds from nations hostile to the United States, including China, Russia, and Qatar.
This step would not only ensure greater transparency but also send a strong message: Texas schools are not for sale. Our educational institutions should serve the interests of Texas families and American ideals, not the agendas of foreign governments. By implementing stricter reporting requirements and barring funds from hostile nations, we can better safeguard our schools and students from undue influence.
Critics may argue that such measures could limit funding opportunities for schools. But the truth is that no amount of money is worth compromising the integrity of our education system or the security of our state. Instead of relying on foreign donations, Texas should focus on fostering partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations that share our values and priorities. This approach would not only ensure financial support for our schools but also protect them from potentially harmful influences.
At its core, education is about preparing the next generation to succeed and lead in an increasingly complex world. Our children deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment free from foreign influence. By taking proactive steps to safeguard our education system, Texas can ensure that its schools remain centers of excellence and independence.