Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Non-Citizens Convicted of Crimes While Protesting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
July 24, 2024

Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Non-Citizens Convicted of Crimes While Protesting

Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the No Visas for Violent Criminals Act, legislation that would terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offense during a protest. Senators Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) are cosponsoring the legislation. Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03) is leading companion legislation in the House.

"The Biden administration's inaction against pro-Hamas mobs has only emboldened these extremists. Our legislation makes clear that a green card does not give individuals the right to break our laws in support of anti-Semitic views," said Senator Cotton.

"For months, pro-Hamas rioters have terrorized communities across the U.S. without consequence. Foreigners who come here to spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public property must be deported immediately. Senator Cotton's and my bill would do exactly that," said Congressman Banks.

Text of the bill may be found here.

The No Visas for Violent Criminals Act would immediately terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of:

• Any offense involving the obstruction of highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels.

• Any offense related to the individual's conduct at and during the course of a protest that takes place at an institution of higher education or religious institution in the United States.
• Any offense involving the defacement or destruction of federal property (including but not limited to monuments and memorials). This also applies to any aggravated felony (as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (43)).

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