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Senators press Rubio on visa revocations under 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act; secretary declines precise counts
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Summary
Senators questioned Secretary Rubio about his use of authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to revoke visas; Rubio said he reviewed and revoked visas and declined to provide an exact number for revocations under that statute, citing separate administrative streams.
Sen. Jeff Merkley pressed Secretary Marco Rubio at the SFOPS hearing on the use of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to revoke visas, raising due-process concerns. Merkley asked how many student and other visas had been revoked under the statute; Rubio said he did not have an exact, current count and suggested the tally could be "under a thousand" but that he would provide a more accurate number later.
Nut graf: The exchange centered on the scope of the secretary’s authority to revoke visas based on past, current or "expected" future activity, and whether that exercise of authority sufficiently preserves due process for noncitizens.
Rubio said some visa revocations arise from violations of visa terms (for example, dropping out of school or criminal convictions) and are administratively distinct from revocations made under national-interest grounds. Merkley said he is concerned about the breadth of the interpretation and asked for a written explanation; Rubio said the matter would be adjudicated in court if challenged and that visa issuance is a privilege that may be revoked.
Ending: Senators sought a follow-up briefing and more precise counts; Rubio agreed to provide a clearer number and additional information on the administration's use of statutory visa authorities.
