US Warns Foreigners of Visa Ban for Backing Terrorist Groups

This move comes as part of a crackdown on anti-Semitism on U.S. college campuses after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Pro-Palestinian protesters speak during a protest at the University of California–Irvine in Irvine, Calif., on May 15, 2024. May He/The Epoch Times

The U.S. State Department said Friday that it reserves the right to revoke or deny the visas of any supporters of foreign terrorist organizations, including international students.

The declaration follows an earlier pledge by President Donald Trump to address illegal protests on college campuses.

A State Department spokesperson told NTD News in an emailed statement that those who support foreign terrorist organizations threaten national security.

“The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. Violators of U.S. law, including international students, may face visa denial or revocation,” the spokesperson said.

Secretary of State Mark Rubio also repeated the department’s stance in a post on X on Friday.

“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security,” he wrote.

This move comes as part of a broader crackdown on anti-Semitism on U.S. college campuses after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The federal government recently canceled funding to Columbia University, accusing the school of inaction in addressing harassment of Jewish students.

In his post on Truth Social on Tuesday, the president stated all federal funding will stop for any college, school, or university that allows illegal protests.

“Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested,” Trump added.

Columbia University Loses Federal Funds

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education, along with other federal agencies, announced the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, saying the university failed to address persistent harassment of Jewish students.

“Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”

The funding cancellation is part of a broader effort by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which includes the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Education, and the General Services Administration. The task force has been reviewing Columbia’s compliance with federal regulations, particularly under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

“Freezing the funds is one of the tools we are using to respond to this spike in anti-Semitism. This is only the beginning,” said Leo Terrell, senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for civil rights and head of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, in the recent announcement.

Trump has been vocal about combating anti-Semitism. He signed an executive order in January aimed at addressing the issue.

From NTD News