Cotton Introduces Bill to Deport Foreigners Vandalizing Monuments
A protest took place outside Union Station in Washington, D.C., in reaction to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. During the demonstration, pro-Hamas protesters engaged in acts of vandalism, including burning American flags and defacing federal monuments. In response to these events, Senator Tom Cotton introduced the “No Visas for Violent Criminals Act,” aimed at deporting foreign nationals involved in such violent protests. Cotton condemned the protesters’ actions as shameful and stated that foreigners on visas who engage in violence or vandalism should have their visas revoked immediately.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend immigration laws to expedite the removal of foreign individuals convicted of crimes related to protests, including vandalism of federal properties. It also includes provisions for deportation if foreign nationals block roads or highways while demonstrating. Support for the legislation has grown among Republicans, with Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ted Budd joining Cotton, and a companion bill introduced in the House by Representative Jim Banks. The push for these measures is part of an ongoing Republican effort to pressure the Biden administration to enforce existing laws against individuals seen as terrorist sympathizers.
A mob gathered outside Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint session address to Congress, during which a rabble of pro-Hamas protesters burned American flags and vandalized federal monuments.
In response, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced the “No Visas for Violent Criminals Act,” which seeks to deport foreign nationals who commit crimes while protesting.
“This morning my colleagues and I introduced a bill to deport any foreigner involved in violence and vandalism on federal property. 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,” Cotton said on X.
This morning my colleagues and I introduced a bill to deport any foreigner involved in violence and vandalism on federal property.
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. pic.twitter.com/A0I2FVmeh8
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) July 24, 2024
Cotton’s bill comes after Republicans in the House and Senate have urged the Biden administration for months to “enforce existing U.S. law and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country,” stated Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Cotton was joined by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C.
The proposed legislation will amend Section 1237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to expedite the removal of foreign nationals convicted of vandalism, defacement, or destruction of a federal memorial or monument.
Under the bill, foreigners on university campuses or faith institutions are subject to deportation if they commit crimes while participating in a protest. The bill would also penalize noncitizens who intentionally obstruct the use of any highway, road, bridge, or tunnel.
Any violation would result in the cancellation of the individual’s visa and an expedited deportation.
Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced a companion version in the House.
“Foreigners who come here to spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public property must be deported immediately,” Banks said in a statement.
“If there’s students who are engaged in this radical activity that’s against the law and they’re here on a visa, they’re supposed to be removed,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, earlier this year.
“I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews,” said Vice President Kamala Harris in a statement she released nearly 24 hours after the violent protests began.
The Biden administration, however, has sympathized with these violent protesters. This month, Harris said in an interview with The Nation, “They are showing exactly what the human emotion should be, as a response to Gaza.”
Harris is now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Countries such as Greece have already taken action against pro-Hamas protesters who are foreign nationals, recently deporting nine individuals.
Arianna Villarreal is a summer intern at The Federalist.
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