Ted Cruz argues VISA students are not protected under First Amendment

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) argued the United States has no obligation to keep VISA students within the country, specifically those who engage in antisemitism on college campuses.

Cruz’s comment comes after the Trump administration sought to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student on a green card from Syria, who is being detained as legal fights over his deportation continue. In assessing the Trump administration’s actions against Khalil, who was a part of Columbia University’s encampments in April 2024, Cruz sternly warned that anyone who hates the U.S. or is “an antisemitic bigot” should not come to the country, adding that those on student VISAs are not protected under the nation’s First Amendment.