Gov. DeSantis outlines tough immigration policies over foreign students who support Hamas

Florida's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, emphasized his commitment to national security and a stringent immigration policy during an interview in Iowa late last week.

He suggested that, if elected president, he would deport foreign students on U.S. visas who show support for groups like Hamas or other hostile foreign entities.

The comments were made during the "Triple MMM Tailgate" fundraiser, an event hosted by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA).

In the interview, DeSantis underscored the need to address the current immigration crisis, attributed to President Joe Biden, by bolstering security at the southern border and being selective about who enters the U.S.

“Day one, it’s going to be a national emergency,” he said. “And I think what this terrorist attack in Israel has shown us is we’re vulnerable from all the people that have come illegally because they have come from Iran too. It’s not just Mexico, Central America; Russia, China, Middle East, all that stuff.”

Drawing a connection to recent violent events in Israel, DeSantis noted, "But I think what we also saw when the blood wasn’t even dry on the Israelis who had been massacred, you had people in America going out protesting in favor of Hamas."

He pointed out that some protesters were non-U.S. citizens on student visas. DeSantis declared, "So as president, if you’re on a student visa, and you’re a foreigner, and you’re out there celebrating terrorism, I’m canceling your visa and I’m sending you home."

Furthermore, DeSantis highlighted his intent to deploy the U.S. military to the southern border. He mentioned that illegal entrants would be repatriated, and he also expressed an aggressive stance against drug cartels, likening them to terrorist organizations and suggesting military intervention to combat their influence.

When I’m President, if foreign students are out there celebrating terrorism, I will cancel their visas and send them home. pic.twitter.com/BPcVls2w7e

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 21, 2023