In a new op-ed, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called for the deportation of non-Americans participating in pro-Palestinian and anti-Jewish riots in recent weeks.
The Florida senator was joined by retired military officer and Texas Rep. August Pfluger II for the op-ed published by The Washington Times. In the piece, the two Republican lawmakers discussed limits to free speech as it regards citizenship and engaging in violent acts.
“The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to free speech, but no one has the right to destroy private property, trespass illegally, or attack innocent people,” Rubio and Pfluger wrote. “This is why college administrators are justified in disbanding anti-Israel protests-turned-riots by force."
"We can and should, however, go one step further: we should deport the non-Americans who have participated in these riots," they continued.
“Why would any sane government allow terrorist sympathizers into the country it’s elected to protect?" the Republican lawmakers continued, also noting existing law currently prevented any foreigner from endorsing or espousing terrorist activity from entering the country. "After all, there is no universal right to come to America, and that privilege should certainly not be extended to those who desire the overthrow of our entire system.”
Rubio and Pfluger went on to note the United States government "can and should" remove those violating existing law, though panned President Joe Biden's administration for inaction on deportation.
“As lawmakers, we cannot force the president’s hand on this, but we can remove any legal ambiguity surrounding the question of deportation,” they continued. “Our bicameral Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act would do just that, explicitly revoking the visas of foreign visitors who support Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Palestine Islamic Jihad, or any related group. This measure deserves bipartisan approval. No one, Republican or Democrat, should want to privilege people who celebrate indiscriminate violence against the United States and its allies.”
The Republican lawmakers then criticized "progressive Democrats" for blocking the passage of legislation on bolstering deportation.
“Today, a majority of Democrats oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza," they wrote, adding other portions of the Democratic Party endorsed Islamic militant group Hamas and their Iranian backers. “In contrast, empowering the U.S. government to deport foreign pro-Hamas and anti-American protesters would send a clear message that far-left bullies remain subject to the law.”
Rubio and Pfluger then cited FBI Director Christopher Wray's declaration that the Israel-Gaza conflict had brought the dangers of terrorism to the homeland on a "whole other level."
“At such a moment, we must remember that our number-one responsibility is to protect American lives from harm. We have no responsibility whatsoever to let terrorist supporters live inside our borders,” they continued. “Laws are being broken. The public peace is under siege. Worst of all, Americans are being made to fear for their lives and livelihoods just for being Jewish."
"We should have never allowed things to reach this point. The least we can do now is hold foreign offenders accountable,” they concluded.
