Pro-Hamas agitators here in the country on student visas don’t appear to have much longer to carry on with their protests in the United States. Even after President Donald Trump has spoken out against “illegal” protests being allowed to carry on at institutions of higher learning, with threats of defunding being brought up, schools like Barnard College still continue to be taken over by terrorist sympathizers. It looks like action is finally coming, with an announcement from the State Department and Secretary Marco Rubio.
“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security,” Rubio’s post from Thursday reminded. “The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. Violators of U.S. law — including international students — face visa denial or revocation, and deportation.”
The report also mentions a sharp contrast given the inaction from the previous Biden-Harris administration. Such inaction was seen even as Rubio, then a senator, almost immediately after the October 7, 2023 attack that Hamas perpetrated against Israel reminded that the secretary of state has authority under legislation from 1952 to revoke visas:
The Biden-Harris administration was often delayed in addressing these pro-Hamas protests. The administration, especially when Vice President Kamala Harris ultimately replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, also tried to play both sides of the conflict. Support for Israel has also thrown the Democratic Party into deep disarray, an issue that still persists, especially with recent poll numbers from Gallup and The Economist/YouGov.
Fox News’ Bill Melugin, who also reposted Secretary Rubio’s post included above, shared over X that actions have already been taken by the State Department to revoke student visas.
Citing “a senior State Department official,” Melugin revealed that the department had on Wednesday revoked the first visa for an “alien who was previously cited for criminal behavior in connection with Hamas-supporting disruptions.” The person was reportedly a university student and “ICE will proceed with removing this person from the country.”
Like the Axios article did, Melugin also mentioned inaction from the Biden administration. “The official says the State Dept. reviewed over 100,000 visas, and records showed the Biden administration canceled zero visas for pro Hamas activities or associated criminal behavior, despite the wave of protests on college campuses that broke out after the 10/7/2023 terror attacks on Israel,” he posted.
