US Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deport foreign nationals, including people in the US on student visas who expressed support for Hamas's terrorist attacks on Israel almost two weeks ago.
The Republican senator sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday (October 16), demanding his immediate action to remove the foreigners who he said have "no place" in the US.
"These fifth-columnists have no place in the United States," he wrote. "Federal law is clear that any alien who 'endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization' is inadmissible and must be deported."
Cotton's Letter a Response to the Rise of Antisemitic Remarks
Fox News Digital reported that the letter came after several cases of pro-Palestinian student groups at various educational institutions across the country releasing statements and organizing demonstrations supporting Hamas's attack against Israel, even as many of the universities themselves condemned the acts of terrorism.
Some examples include the statement released by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups that was signed by about 30 student organizations, which said Israel was "entirely responsible" for the violence in the region. The statement was later deleted after student organizations began removing their signatures amid bipartisan backlash and some CEOs demanding the names of the students who signed it.
"Swiftly removing and permanently barring from future reentry any foreign student who signed onto or shared approvingly the anti-Semitic letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee on October 7 would be a good place to start," Cotton added in his letter to Mayorkas
Another significant incident was when the University of Wisconsin Madison refused to condemn pro-Palestinian protesters who were allegedly congratulating Hamas when a viral video captured a woman saying, "Glory to the murders!" and "We will liberate the land - by any means necessary!"
Cotton also wrote about the "appalling explosion" of antisemitism in the US that should "disturb anyone" sharing American values.
"While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States," he added.
Over 4,200 people have been killed in both Gaza and Israel since Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel on October 7.
Meanwhile, Politico reported that Cotton and fellow Republican senators Tim Scott (SC) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) were drafting bills that called for denying Iran access to the $6 billion made available in exchange for the release of American prisoners.
