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State Department says visa revocations will target supporters of designated terrorist groups, not protected speech; courts could review policy
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Summary
The State Department spokesperson said the department will consider revoking visas of foreigners who have supported designated terrorist groups and has authority to do so when information indicates inadmissibility, adding that the policy targets actions rather than protected speech and may be subject to litigation.
The State Department spokesperson said the department will consider revoking visas of foreigners who have supported designated terrorist organizations and has authority to revoke visas when information indicates a visa holder may be inadmissible under U.S. immigration law.
Tammy said, "The State Department will consider revoking the visas of foreigners who have supported Hamas and unleashed antisemitic harassment, intimidation, vandalism, and violence on America's college campuses." She said the department "intends to use the department's broad authority to revoke visas when information comes to light indicating a visa holder may be, inadmissible or ineligible under U.S. immigration law."
On the question of distinguishing between support for violence and protected speech, Tammy said the administration's actions are not about content alone: "Every country has a right to control its borders and to determine who's going to come into the country. So in in this particular instance there's also I know a freedom of speech argument, but this is not about speech. It's about actions." She also noted that the issue could face legal challenges in court.
The briefing did not provide specific criteria, a public list of affected individuals, or an administrative guidance document; the spokesperson said what has been reported in some outlets as a formal list "is not a list that exists here that is being acted on." She added that reviews ordered by executive action are ongoing and that legal review and possible litigation are expected.
The spokesperson said decisions about individual cases, including special immigrant visa (SIV) recipients and those who assisted U.S. agencies in Afghanistan, would be part of broader reviews; she reiterated that reporting of a concrete, department-issued ban list was inaccurate as presented in some press coverage.
