SC New York News

On July 25, 2024, Congressman Nick Langworthy introduced the Veto Your Visas Act, aimed at revoking the student visas of individuals involved in activities supporting any Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), including Hamas.

“We will not stand for the chaos and antisemitic violence across our campuses and cities, like the riots at Columbia University early this year and our nation’s capital yesterday,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “It’s a privilege to come to the United States to study, not a free pass to come to our country to spread hate, burn our flag, and vandalize our institutions. This bill ensures anyone here on a student visa who supports a Foreign Terrorist Organization will be deported, protecting our national security and making it clear that we have zero tolerance for terrorism.”

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14), Cory Mills (FL-07), and Vern Buchanan (FL-16).

"If you are in America on a visa and you're supporting a terrorist organization, we don't want you here. This is the greatest country on earth, and if you're protesting on behalf of a bunch of thugs who kill, rape, and torment their own people, you can take that protest right back to where you came from," said Congressman Randy Weber.

“After witnessing yesterday's so-called 'peaceful protests' at our nation’s capital, I am appalled by the students who seem to think it's acceptable to incite violence in our country—only perpetuating terrorist organizations’ agendas. I am proud to support Congressman Langworthy's Veto Your Visas Act, which will ensure students who are welcomed into the United States are here to learn, not incite violence,” said Congressman Cory Mills.

“The despicable pro-Hamas demonstrations popping up in cities across the country are truly disturbing and should be condemned by all,” said Congressman Vern Buchanan. “Any foreign student visa holders studying in this country who openly support a brutal terrorist organization and chant ‘Death to America,’ ‘Death to Israel,’ and burn our flag have no business being in this country.”

Specifically, this bill would:

- Require institutions of higher education to immediately report to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when a student holding a J-1 or F-1 nonimmigrant visa has participated in activity in support of or as an endorsement of a foreign terrorist organization.

- Empower the Secretary of State to revoke the student visa upon verification of such participation.

- Mandate the Secretary of Homeland Security initiate removal proceedings for the student.

Read the full text of the bill here.