Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) highlighted the importance of revoking visas for pro-Hamas protesters in a recent statement covered by the Washington Times on May 8, 2024.

"The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to free speech, but no one has the right to destroy private property, trespass illegally, or attack innocent people. This is why college administrators are justified in disbanding anti-Israel protests-turned-riots by force. We can and should, however, go one step further: we should deport the non-Americans who have participated in these riots…" the officials stated.

They emphasized that existing law already prohibits any foreigner who "endorses or espouses terrorist activity" from entering the country, but lamented the lack of action from the Biden Administration on this matter. In response, Rubio and Pfluger introduced the bicameral Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act to address the issue.

"Yet progressive Democrats in Congress have blocked the legislation’s passage. They claim they’re protecting the Constitution, but since there’s no Constitutional right to a visa, it’s fair to say they’re really afraid of angering their fanatical base…" the statement continued.

The lawmakers expressed concern over a segment of the Democratic party that supports Hamas and its backers in Tehran, highlighting the importance of not letting these radicals influence policy decisions. They stressed that passing the bill is crucial for national security, citing FBI Director Christopher Wray's warning about the heightened terrorism risk in the U.S. due to the conflict in Gaza.

"At such a moment, we must remember that our number-one responsibility is to protect American lives from harm. We have no responsibility whatsoever to let terrorist supporters live inside our borders…" the officials concluded.