Secretary of State Rubio clearly stated Washington’s stance on the recent visa revocation of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk on Thursday, asserting that any foreign student “creating a ruckus” will face visa cancellation.
“I don’t care what movement you’re involved in,” Rubio told reporters at a press event in Guyana, questioning why any country would allow disruptive individuals to enter.
“We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist,” he stated.
Rubio implied that Ozturk’s op-ed criticizing the university’s ties to Israel amid the Gaza conflict was akin to the actions of those who “vandalize universities, harass students, take over buildings, [and] create a ruckus.”
While her op-ed didn’t explicitly support Hamas, the designated terrorist organization, it did urge the university to divest from companies linked to Israel and to .
The Department of Homeland Security claimed Ozturk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas,” but has not publicly disclosed the supporting evidence.
Rubio asserted on Thursday that “every country in the world has a right to decide who comes in as a visitor and who doesn’t.”
“I encourage every country to do that, by the way, because I think it’s crazy to invite students into your country that are coming onto your campus and destabilizing it,” he told reporters. “We’re just not going to have it.
“We’ll revoke your visa, and once your visa is revoked, you’re illegally in the country and you have to leave,” Rubio confirmed.
The Secretary revealed that the U.S. has revoked approximately 300 visas so far.
“We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visa,” Rubio stated, expressing hope that the process would eventually eliminate all such individuals. “At some point, I hope we run out because we’ve gotten rid of all of them. But, we’re looking every day for these lunatics.”
Rubio emphasized that Washington’s initiative to revoke visas of “destabilizing” visitors extends beyond students to include gang members.
The secretary highlighted the administration’s efforts to deport members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, who were initially held at Guantánamo Bay before being transferred to Venezuela and El Salvador.
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