The justice department's China Initiative, under both the Trump and Biden administrations, has had lasting negative effects on scientists of Chinese descent who work in US universities and laboratories. This episode provides the details of both psychological and career distress. Lost sight of is the exceptional value these Chinese scientists have for the US economy and technological leadership--a value stressed by the academic communities that provide their home base. Right-wing charges that Chinese scientists pose a national security risk are sadly mistaken; but if they continue, the trend among them to return to China will continue.