Non-citizens convicted of crimes while protesting to be deported under new GOP bill

Congressional Republicans have introduced legislation that would deport non-citizens involved in violence and vandalism on federal property. On Wednesday, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) introduced the “No Visas for Violent Criminals Act,” which would terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offense during a protest.

The move comes after an anti-Israel protest in Washington DC yesterday turned violent during an address from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are co-sponsoring the legislation and Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) is leading a companion bill in the House.

The bill would immediately terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of, any offense involving the obstruction of highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels, any offense related to the individual’s conduct at and during a protest that takes place at an institution of higher education or religious institution in the United States. This would also include any offense involving the defacement or destruction of federal property including, but not limited to, monuments and memorials.



Senator Cotton said in a statement about the bill, “The Biden administration’s inaction against pro-Hamas mobs has only emboldened these extremists. Our legislation makes clear that a green card does not give individuals the right to break our laws in support of anti-Semitic views.”

Congressman Banks added in the press release, “For months, pro-Hamas rioters have terrorized communities across the U.S. without consequence. Foreigners who come here to spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public property must be deported immediately. Senator Cotton’s and my bill would do exactly that.”

In Washington DC on Wednesday, anti-Israel agitators assaulted police officers, vandalized monuments, and burned American flags during the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After the chaos ensued with flags at Union Station being burned and replaced by Palestinian flags, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional Republicans gathered to hoist other American flags up the three flag poles. They then recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cotton posted in response to the violent protests, “This morning my colleagues and I introduced a bill to deport any foreigner involved in violence and vandalism on federal property.”

He added, “The actions of the pro-Hamas lunatics at Union Station in DC are shameful, and anyone on a visa who took part should have it revoked immediately.”

Blackburn said in reaction to the violent protests, “We need to arrest every terrorist sympathizer who has vandalized federal property and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Then, we should send them to Gaza.”