Secretary says U.S. can deny or revoke visas for people who openly support Hamas

Secretary Jason said U.S. visa rules allow officials to deny admission to applicants who state an intent to support or carry out violence, and he reiterated that visas and green cards can be revoked for those who engage in disqualifying acts after entering the United States.

“When you come to The United States as a visitor, which is what a visa is…we can deny if you tell us…'I am a big supporter of Hamas,'” Jason said, describing a hypothetical applicant. “If you told us all these things when you apply for a visa, we would deny your visa.” He added that if someone enters on a visa and then carries out disqualifying acts, “we will revoke it. Revoke it. And if you end up having a green card…we're gonna kick you out.”

Asked about concerns that such actions implicate free-speech protections, Jason said the visa decisions are not a free-speech issue but one of immigration status and eligibility. “This is not about free speech. This is about people that don't have a right to be in The United States to begin with,” he said. He noted that no one has an inherent right to a visitor visa or green card and that consular and immigration officials have broad discretion to deny or revoke those statuses.

Jason also described scenarios in which applicants explicitly state that they intend to disrupt U.S. campuses or incite violence; he said such admissions would be grounds for denial. He said the government would expect to revoke status if documented criminal activity occurs after entry, citing vandalism and intimidation at campuses as examples reporters raised.

The secretary framed these actions as enforcement of immigration law and visa policy; he did not cite specific statutes or provide procedural details such as appeal rights, timelines for revocation, or which agency office would handle each case.