Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and his colleagues have written a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to review and remove individuals who participated in or encouraged the spread of pro-Hamas and pro-terrorist activity in the United States.

The letter, signed by Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Deb Fischer (R-NE), emphasizes the importance of using the tools provided by Congress to protect the safety of the United States during this critical time. The senators called for collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State, state and local law enforcement, and institutions of higher education to ensure that individuals who support terrorism are promptly removed from the country.

The letter specifically addresses recent demonstrations supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), on American soil. The senators condemn the brutal terrorist attack launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the harm and kidnapping of innocent civilians, including Americans. They express concern that universities in the United States have allowed rampant antisemitism and support for Hamas to pervade their campuses, and warn that individuals who share this abhorrent support may be present in the country on various visa categories.

The senators remind Secretary Mayorkas of the primary mission of DHS, which is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States and reduce the vulnerability of the country to terrorism. They highlight the legal provisions that deem individuals inadmissible into the United States and ineligible for a visa if they endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization. As Hamas is an FTO, the senators argue that support for Hamas and the call for others to join in their activities fall under these provisions.

The senators urge Secretary Mayorkas to perform a thorough review and coordinate with the Department of State to revoke the visas of those who have endorsed or espoused Hamas' terrorist activities and then deport them. They also emphasize the importance of proactively working to ensure that these individuals cannot obtain any additional immigration benefits.

The senators highlight the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as a valuable tool for both DHS and universities. They call for the use of SEVIS to protect Americans, particularly on university and college campuses. The senators propose that institutions of higher education should be required to immediately report pro-Hamas activity, whether on campus or not, into SEVIS as a disqualifier for continued possession of a visa or lawful status as a student or exchange visitor. They stress that hateful and anti-Semitic behavior should not be tolerated anywhere in the United States.

Furthermore, the senators recommend revising the eligibility requirements of DHS's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to ensure that no educational institution can qualify for SEVP eligibility if it has officially supported, endorsed, or espoused Hamas or its recent activities. They state that support for terror should have no place on American campuses, and foreign students should not be invited to study at any institution that supports Hamas' reprehensible acts.

The senators also draw attention to the provisions of the law that prohibit material support for Hamas and other designated foreign terrorist organizations. They call for coordination between DHS, the Department of Justice National Security Division, and the Department of Treasury Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to take action against any institution of higher education that recognizes or provides financial assistance to student groups supporting Hamas.

In conclusion, the senators urge Secretary Mayorkas to respond quickly and appropriately to potential national security concerns raised by universities or colleges regarding individuals in their student body. They stress the importance of not ignoring signs, subtle or blatant, that could indicate potential terrorist activity. The senators expect DHS and federal personnel to respond appropriately and utilize the tools provided by Congress to protect the safety of the United States.

The letter concludes with a call to action, stating, "You have an opportunity--and the obligation--to use the tools Congress has already provided to you to protect the safety of the United States during this critical time." The senators urge Secretary Mayorkas to work collaboratively with relevant agencies and institutions to ensure that aliens who support terrorism are swiftly removed from the country.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-colleagues-urge-removal-of-hamas-and-terrorist-supporters/