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Rubio revokes visa for student cited for criminal behavior in connection with Pro-Hamas protests

Rubio revokes visa for student

Rubio revokes visa for student cited for criminal behavior in connection with Pro-Hamas protests:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the U.S. State Department has officially revoked the visa of a foreign national who had been previously cited for criminal behavior related to “Hamas-supporting disruptions.” This action marks the first instance of visa revocation since President Trump’s directive to expel foreign Hamas sympathizers studying in the U.S. on student visas.

The decision follows a surge in pro-Hamas demonstrations across the country, particularly on college campuses, since the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.

These disruptions have included acts of vandalism, violence, and public demonstrations in support of Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.

The Biden administration had previously refrained from taking action against foreign students involved in such activities, but the new administration has signaled a firm stance against individuals supporting terror-affiliated groups.

A fact sheet released by the White House under President Trump’s administration underscored the zero-tolerance policy towards foreign nationals who engage in activities supporting designated terrorist groups. President Trump stated unequivocally, “To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you.”

He further emphasized his administration’s firm approach by pledging to “quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.” This move aligns with broader efforts to combat extremist ideologies and maintain national security by ensuring that those who support terrorist organizations are not granted the privilege of studying in the United States.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that the individual whose visa was revoked was a university student and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would now proceed with removing the individual from the country:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong statement reinforcing the administration’s commitment to national security. “Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security. The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists.

In a related development, Axios reported that Secretary Rubio has launched an AI-driven initiative dubbed “Catch and Revoke.” This program is designed to leverage artificial intelligence in identifying foreign students who support Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations.

According to sources, the AI system will scan and flag individuals based on key indicators of extremist sympathies, which will then be reviewed by State Department officials. If a visa holder is found to be in violation, their visa will be revoked, and they will be subject to deportation.

Fox News also contrasted the current administration’s decisive actions with the previous administration’s inaction. Under President Biden, the State Department reportedly reviewed over 100,000 student visas but did not revoke any, despite the widespread anti-Israel protests and disruptions occurring on college campuses nationwide.