Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly announced that his office is reviewing the visa status of individuals arrested during a recent protest at Columbia University.
The demonstration, which involved anti-Israel protesters occupying Butler Library, resulted in over 80 arrests and significant disruption to students studying for finals.
Rubio described the protesters as “trespassers and vandals,” stating, “Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.”
His comments come amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on foreign visa holders engaged in activities associated with terrorist organizations.
The protesters, identified as members of the group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), vandalized property and chanted slogans during their occupation, which lasted for several hours.
The protest was marked by confrontations with public safety officers, who attempted to identify the protesters as they tried to leave.
The situation escalated, leading to law enforcement intervention.
Acting Columbia President Claire Shipman confirmed that two public safety officers were injured during the incident, and she emphasized the necessity of police involvement to ensure community safety.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in, urging parents of the protesters to advise their children against breaking the law and to leave the building.
He reassured Jewish students at Columbia that their safety is a priority.
House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Rubio and President Trump for their response, stating that antisemitic violence and intimidation will not be tolerated in America.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about free speech, campus protests, and the implications for foreign students involved in such demonstrations.
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