As the Israeli-Hamas conflict enters its second week with thousands of lives being taken on both sides, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has called for the cancellation of visas for those who publicly declare their support of the terrorist group.
Sen. Rubio went on Fox News to discuss this idea, providing the notion that this is already the law of the land, but it is not being enforced.
Foreign nationals who are supporting Hamas need to go. pic.twitter.com/x5Ko7NhbQJ
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) October 15, 2023
“Well, first of all, it’s the existing law of the country, right? Our laws basically say that you are inadmissible under a visa – student vias, to be a teacher here, to be a tourist – if you are a supporter of a designated terrorist group,” said Sen. Rubio.
He further stated, “And then this week, we see people marching at universities and in the streets of our country and so forth calling for Intifada, celebrating what Hamas has done, justifying what Hamas has done; these are supporters of Hamas. Those people who are here, on a visa to be a student, to be a professor, whatever, those people need to go. They should have never been allowed in and we probably didn’t know that about them.”
Rubio concluded, “Nobody is going to tell you ‘I’m a Hamas supporter’ on the way in, but once we know you are, our laws say you shouldn’t have a visa and you need to go.”
Moreover, the Florida senator wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to enforce the laws on the books and revoke visas of those that support designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).
“America is the most welcoming country in the world. During Fiscal Year 2022 alone, we issued more than six million nonimmigrant visas. However, the privilege of entering and staying in our great country is not afforded to those who wish to do us harm or advocate on behalf of Hamas, penned Rubio.
He would go on to mention that Hamas being labeled an FTO makes this “a clear directive.”
“Hamas’ designation as a FTO makes this a clear directive to institute a thorough review of all visa holders and applicants. This should include coordination with law enforcement, both federal and state/local, as well as universities,” said Rubio. “I urge you to immediately use existing law to eradicate this hate from our country. In addition, I will be introducing legislation to provide further tools to ensure supporters of Hamas, and other FTOs, do not benefit from our country’s generosity. I welcome your input. Thank you for your attention for this important matter.”
This is a developing story.
