Marco Rubio: US Visas Are a Privilege, Not a Right, Amid Student Visa Crackdown:

Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, noted with concern how his predecessors managed Trump's immigration policies. According to him, American visas are a “privilege” and not everyone is eligible to have it. Only those who follow rules, abide by the laws, and contribute to the country’s development are eligible. In an opinion piece on Fox News, Rubio made it clear that entering the United States is not an automatic right.

"American visas are not a right, they are a privilege in distinction to those who try to destroy a country from within. They are given to those who seek a better future," Rubio wrote.

Visas Cancellation in Connection to Support for Palestine Protest

These comments come amid an increase in the cancellation of visas of foreign nationals who protested the pro-accountability in Palestine across US universities. One such example is the case of a protest leader, Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. He now faces deportation after a judge ruled against him.

Rubio turned to the INA’s provisions rub allegation rule terrorism, which sanctions the government to cancel visas of people claiming to endorse a terrorist activity. “People who support or voice terrorist acts and encourage others to do the same, or sympathize with terrorist groups – including Hamas – cannot receive American visas,” Rubio quoted.

A Focus on Continuous Vetting and Enforcement

Rubio reiterated that security checks persist even after a visa is issued. “Visas can in fact be revoked based on violent crime, drunk driving, supporting terrorism, overstaying, or any violation of the conditions of a visa,” he noted.

He also referenced several cases of harassment and intimidation protesting Israel’s actions associated with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that allegedly some foreign students participated in.

Rubio reminded us of the administration’s stance: “We will not hold back from acting decisively… if there is reason to believe that a visa holder may be a risk to our safety, has broken a US law, or where undiplomatic conditions justify revocation of the visa.”

Legal Challenges from International Students

International students took it upon themselves to sue the administration in response. These suits have appeared out of Michigan, California, Georgia, and New Hampshire, with plaintiffs alleging their visas were cancelled without due process and appropriate reasoning.

Affected universities include Columbia, Harvard, Ohio State, and the University of Maryland. Detractors claim that such steps if implemented could harm the United States’ bid to attract foreign nationals students while creating ambiguity for prospective applicants.