NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken a firm stance against foreign students involved in pro-Hamas protests at American universities. In a move that has ignited widespread debate, Rubio announced the revocation of student visas for individuals accused of supporting Hamas, a group officially designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
The controversy began with a protest at Columbia University, where a foreign student was accused of participating in what the State Department described as “Hamas-supporting disruptions.” This led to the revocation of the student’s visa, marking the first known case under this new policy. The individual now faces deportation, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) preparing to carry out the removal.
According to a US-based news outlet, officials are reviewing the social media accounts of foreign students to identify any evidence of sympathies expressed toward the Palestinian militant group Hamas. An official noted that no visa revocations had occurred under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Rubio’s initiative, known as “Catch and Revoke,” leverages artificial intelligence to monitor the social media activity of tens of thousands of student visa holders. The AI system is designed to detect evidence of support for Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations. This represents a significant escalation in the use of technology by the US government to enforce immigration laws.
Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security. The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. Violators of U.S. law — including international students — face visa denial or revocation, and…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 6, 2025
“America has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists,” Rubio declared on social media. “Violators of US law, including international students, will face visa denial, revocation, and deportation.”
The decision to scrutinize foreign students for anti-Israel sentiment followed a statement by former President Donald Trump. Last week, Trump announced that federal funding would be withdrawn from higher education institutions that permit “illegal protests” to occur.
“Agitators will be imprisoned or permanently sent back to the country from which they came,” Trump stated. “American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested.”
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Critics, including free speech advocates, have raised concerns about the policy. They argue that AI tools may struggle to accurately interpret complex political speech, potentially leading to violations of First Amendment rights. Organizations like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression have warned of the risks associated with such measures.
Pro-Hamas protests have continued at various US universities, driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. While some demonstrators denounce both Hamas and antisemitism, incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia have been reported at these events.
As the debate unfolds, Rubio’s policy underscores the delicate balance between ensuring national security and safeguarding free speech. Using AI in this context raises ethical concerns about surveillance and the potential for misuse.
