Senate Dems block effort to deport Hamas sympathizers

By Casey Harper
The Center Square

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., blasted Democrats Thursday for blocking his motion to deport terrorist sympathizers in the U.S. on visas.

Rubio has led this effort to "revoke visas and initiate deportation proceedings for any foreign national who has endorsed or espoused terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or any another foreign terrorist organization."

The same motion was also blocked last month. Rubio put it forward again this week, and pointed out that pro-Palestinian protesters Wednesday night stormed a House office building and the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

Leading House Democrats were inside the headquarters and had to be evacuated, and six officers were reportedly injured.

Rubio’s motion came as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Rubio pointed out that current federal law prohibits terrorist supporters from entering the U.S. The issue has become highly controversial with some Democrats blasting Israel for its military response targeting Hamas in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of civilians.

"A visa is not a constitutional right. It is a temporary permission for foreign nationals to visit our country," Rubio said in a statement. 

"Supporting terrorism, as defined by U.S. law, disqualifies individuals from having a visa. It makes no sense to protect foreign nationals who support terrorism, but that is exactly what the Senate just voted to do."