Republican Lawmakers Introduce Legislation That Would Give Pro-Hamas Protesters the Boot

AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File

A Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the pro-Hamas protesters who have been staging demonstrations on college campuses. The bill would revoke the visa of any immigrant, legal or illegal, who participates in pro-Hamas protests.

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Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) introduced the legislation on Wednesday according to an exclusive report from The Daily Caller.

The Daily Caller first obtained a copy of the legislation, which is titled the Study Abroad Act. The bill would specifically “revoke the F, J, or M visa” of any illegal immigrant who authorities have “arrested for rioting or unlawful protest,” or who authorities have “arrested while establishing, participating in, or promoting an encampment” at an institute of higher education.

“The ability to receive higher education in the United States is truly a privilege. Previously known for their prestige and unparalleled academics, many elite American universities have damaged their hard-earned reputations by opening their doors to impressionable terrorist sympathizers. In the last several weeks, our nation has seen these institutions overrun and terrorized by young people calling for a third intifada,” Ogles told the Caller before introducing the bill.

“These antisemitic, anti-America riots have wreaked havoc and chaos on campuses, leading to the cancellation of commencements and in-person classes. It is unacceptable that we would allow non-Americans to terrorize our institutions of higher learning. It’s time to send a clear message to foreign, Hamas-sympathizing students rioting: if you bring chaos to our universities, you can study abroad somewhere else. Might I recommend Iran, Qatar, or Gaza? They seem more your speed,” he added.

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Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), who co-sponsored the legislation, told The Daily Caller, “If you hate America so much, you should get the first ticket back to your country and attend college there.”

The bill comes amid numerous reports of anti-Israel protests, including activists advocating for similar goals as Hamas. Many of these demonstrations have devolved into violence and threats, prompting responses from law enforcement.

It was recently revealed that many of those participating in the demonstrations, which are at least partly funded by groups connected to George Soros, have received training from various hard leftist groups whose members have taught them various tactics while they are on college campuses or out in the streets.

The tactics used by protesters are not anything they have come up with on their own. They have consulted with left-wing radical groups like National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) and Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. The meetings have resulted in months of planning, training, and encouragement. So what sort of "training" did these would-be revolutionaries receive? Aspiring protesters at Columbia University attended a "teach-in" led by two former members of the Black Panthers. The topics included how to handle any internal disputes within the movement, likely to keep everyone focused on the ultimate goal. The former Black Panthers also discussed some similarities between gentrification that occurred in Harlem and the Israel-Palestine conflict, a potential tactic designed to make black students feel a connection with the plight of Palestinians and thus keep on board with the protests.

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Given the makeup of the Senate, it is unlikely that such a bill would pass. The Democrats who dominate the upper chamber would never allow for it. However, if some of these students feel that they would be more comfortable in an America-hating school, an Iranian university, as well as one run by the Houthis, indicated they would be happy to receive them.

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