Republican Party wants to cancel visas for people in violent protests before Netanyahu speech.
Senator Tom Cotton, alongside other Republican lawmakers, is pushing for a new bill that would revoke visas from individuals who participate in violent protests, particularly those that demonstrate anti-Israel and sometimes pro-Hamas sentiments. The proposed legislation targets noncitizens convicted of crimes during demonstrations at universities, religious institutions, or when federal monuments are defaced, vandalized, or destroyed. Additionally, those who block highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels as a form of protest would also face visa revocation.
One of the key incidents that sparked this legislative push was the encampment that appeared on Columbia University’s campus in New York City in support of Palestinian people in Gaza. The demonstrations that followed were characterized by antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric, drawing widespread media coverage and inspiring similar protests at universities nationwide.
The escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, led to a wave of violence that claimed the lives of 1,200 people, with hundreds more taken as hostages in Gaza. In response to Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel launched a counteroffensive, targeting terrorist leaders who often hide among civilians, using them as shields.
Senator Cotton’s proposed legislation has garnered support from Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ted Budd, as well as Representative Jim Banks, who introduced a companion bill in the House. Banks emphasized the need to hold accountable those who engage in destructive behavior and spread hate, stating that individuals promoting antisemitism and defacing public property should face immediate deportation.
With tensions running high and concerns about the spread of violent protests, this bill seeks to deter individuals from engaging in destructive and harmful behavior within the United States. By revoking visas from those convicted of crimes during protests and related activities, the legislation aims to promote peace, security, and respect for the rule of law.
