Congressional Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at deporting non-citizens involved in violence and vandalism on federal property. On Wednesday, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the “No Visas for Violent Criminals Act,” which mandates the termination of any visa and requires deportation within 60 days for any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offense during a protest.
This legislation follows a violent anti-Israel protest in Washington, DC, coinciding with an address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are co-sponsoring the bill, while Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) is leading a companion bill in the House.
The bill stipulates the immediate termination of any visa and mandates deportation within 60 days for any non-citizen convicted of:
- Any offense involving the obstruction of highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels.
- Any offense related to conduct during a protest at an institution of higher education or religious institution in the U.S.
- Any offense involving the defacement or destruction of federal property, including monuments and memorials.
Senator Cotton stated, “The Biden administration’s inaction against pro-Hamas mobs has only emboldened these extremists. Our legislation makes clear that a green card does not give individuals the right to break our laws in support of anti-Semitic views.”
Congressman Banks added, “For months, pro-Hamas rioters have terrorized communities across the U.S. without consequence. Foreigners who come here to spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public property must be deported immediately. Senator Cotton’s and my bill would do exactly that.”
On Wednesday in Washington, DC, anti-Israel protestors assaulted police officers, vandalized monuments, and burned American flags during Netanyahu’s speech. In response to flags being burned and replaced by Palestinian flags at Union Station, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional Republicans raised American flags and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Senator Cotton tweeted in response to the violent protests, “This morning my colleagues and I introduced a bill to deport any foreigner involved in violence and vandalism on federal property.”
He added, “The actions of the pro-Hamas lunatics at Union Station in DC are shameful, and anyone on a visa who took part should have it revoked immediately.”
Senator Blackburn commented on the violent protests, “We need to arrest every terrorist sympathizer who has vandalized federal property and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Then, we should send them to Gaza.”