Rubio Calls on Biden Administration to Cancel Visas for Foreigners Backing Hamas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Florida Senator Marco Rubio has called upon the Biden administration to cancel visas for foreign nationals who have expressed sympathies for Hamas. 

Rubio asserted that the United States is a “generous” nation, but that the country has a duty to keep out immigrants who have shown support for a group that have called for an “intifada” against Israel. 

“America is the most generous nation on earth, but we cannot allow foreign nationals who support terrorist groups like Hamas and march in our streets calling for ‘intifada’ to enter or stay in our country,” Rubio said. 

Rubio stated that the Biden administration has the ability to cancel the visas, but that he is also crafting legislation that would cause the executive to act on the issue. 

The text of the resolution says that the president can “revoke visas and initiate deportation proceedings for any foreign national who has endorsed or espoused the terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah,”or other terrorist groups. 

Other prohibited aliens include “alien[s] whose entry or proposed activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”

He also said he will be crafting additional legislation that withholds funding for colleges and universities that permit pro-Hamas rallies on campus that could be seen to “endorse or espouse terrorist activity or persuade others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization.” 

DEMONSTRATIONS ON FLORIDA’S CAMPUSES

Last week, as the news continued to unfold surrounding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Students for a Democratic Society – a student group on the campus of Florida State University – were demonstrating expressing support for Hamas. 

The student-led group said Hamas’ response was a “justified response to want to fight back.” 

In Gainesville, University of Florida President Ben Sasse came out forcefully against the pro-Hamas demonstrations and vowed that his university will “protect Jewish students from violence.” 

“If anti-Israel protests come, we will absolutely be ready to act if anyone dares to escalate beyond peaceful protest,” Sasse said. “Speech is protected – violence and vandalism are not.” 

PROTECTIONS WITH “UNIQUE VIGOR”

Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration issued a letter to Florida’s college and university presidents reminding them they don’t have to tolerate antisemitism on campus. 

State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues wrote that Florida protects its Jewish citizens with “unique vigor.” 

Rodrigues’ letter was sent the same day Representative Randy Fine called on DeSantis to enforce Florida’s antisemitism ban and kick students out for stating pro-Hamas sentiments.