A new inspector general delayed a decision on whether to approve the project and is said to have raised its potential political ramifications, in a test of the watchdog system in President Trump’s second term.

When Mahmoud Khalil was detained by immigration agents last year, the university’s response was restrained. It was different with Elmina Aghayeva this week.

The package worth billions of dollars and endorsed by lawmakers is stalled at the State Department as the U.S. and China plan an April summit.