6 Officials Explain: Can You Be Deported for Protesting?

As President Trump attempts to justify crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism, legal experts weigh in whether the arrests are constitutional or not.

The Trump administration has targeted foreign students with visas who have indicated support for Palestine. Photo on Unsplash.

Does a student visa come with free speech rights or not?

Over 300 international students and residents have had their visas revoked in recent weeks, many tied to pro-Palestinian protests. (Washington Post)

Some have been arrested by masked agents.

Here's what 5 officials and legal minds are saying about it:

1. Marco Rubio (Secretary of State)

“Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas.”

Rubio is leading the charge under a Cold War-era law that lets him boot anyone seen as a foreign policy risk.

2. Tyler Coward (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression)

“We don’t want a system where some people can speak out on public issues and others can’t.”

Coward says the arrests set a dangerous precedent, where dissent becomes deportable.

3. Nicholas Espíritu (National Immigration Law Center):

“It’s troubling that they’re [The Trump Administration] using it in this way… to try to trot upon First Amendment protections.”

Espíritu says the crackdown could be used to silence lawful speech under the guise of national security.

4. Pam Bondi (US Attorney General)

“These aren't peaceful protests… these students who are here on visas, who are threatening our American students, need to be kicked out of this country.”

The US AG made this comment during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). (Source)

5. Patrick Eddington (Cato Institute):