Marco Rubio’s policy to revoke green cards and student visas for individuals supporting Hamas has sparked heated debate, but let’s cut through the noise: non-citizens are guests in the United States, not citizens with guaranteed rights. Rubio, as Secretary of State, is pushing a hardline stance rooted in the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives the government clear legal authority to pull these privileges when national security is at risk. And supporting Hamas—a group the U.S. labels as terrorists—crosses that line.
Take Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder arrested during pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University. Rubio’s argument is simple: if you’re here as a guest and you back a terrorist organization, you’ve overstayed your welcome. This isn’t about silencing free speech—it’s about protecting Americans from real threats. The First Amendment is crucial, but it doesn’t give non-citizens a free pass to endorse violence or terrorism. National security trumps unrestricted expression every time.
The use of AI to scan social media for Hamas support adds a modern twist. Sure, it raises privacy red flags, but when you’re dealing with potential risks, proactive measures make sense. Critics might cry foul, but guests don’t get to dictate the house rules—especially not when the safety of citizens is on the line.
Rubio’s policy signals a no-nonsense approach to immigration. Being in the U.S. as a non-citizen is a privilege, not a right, and privileges can be revoked. This debate pits security against civil liberties, but at its core, it’s about who gets to stay and why. In a world of evolving threats, this move prioritizes American lives—and that’s a stance worth defending.
