Republican Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy told Fox News Tuesday that the US must prioritize attracting “the brightest and brightest” international students who really love America.
The Obama-appointed judge temporarily blocked the deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, accused by the Trump administration in support of Hamas, until a lawsuit challenging him in custody was reviewed. While appearing in “Ingraham’s Angle” and discussing the issue, Kennedy said that America hosts a record number of foreign students, but their presence should not negatively affect the opportunities for American students.
“I’m pleased to have our foreign students. I want them to come and choose the best and brightest in the world. But they have to love America,” Kennedy told host Laura Ingraham.
Addressing potential security risks, Kennedy highlighted Chinese students.
“Their loyalty must be for the country, and when they are here they must act. And the immigration and naturalization law is very clear. Otherwise, we can deport them if we even have a reasonable belief that their existence is at a disadvantage to foreign policy. And we should. And these universities like to love them,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy criticized the university for prioritizing economic incentives over national interests. He denounced institutions that recognise a large number of foreign students, primarily for the profitable and full payments they bring.
“Other countries do the same in Australia. They recognize so many foreign students, Chinese students, and they love that they pay full tuition,” Kennedy said. “That’s fine, but these kids are here with permission from Americans. And they have to support our country, or at least they don’t hate it.”
While telling him he was open to foreign students who wanted to assimilate into American society, Kennedy drew solid boundaries for people with anti-American sentiment. (Related: Trump Administrators launch self-denial app for illegal immigration)
“I’m happy that if foreign students want to come here, learn, stay, assimilate, become Americans, I’m happy that they have them. But I’m not happy that they’re paying to come here to hate America. And I’m not happy that the university will take American taxpayers’ dollars and support it at the same time. I hate the smell of hypocrisy in the morning,” Kennedy added.
Ministry of Homeland Security announcement Halil’s arrest and he accused him of leading activities related to Hamas. Halil, a Columbia University alumnus, emerged as a prominent leader in campus protests during the Israeli Hamas conflict, but authorities and critics say his activism violated the law and fell on anti-Semitism.
The Columbia University campus demonstrations took place as part of a wide wave of student protests across the country. These protests opposed Israel’s military response following the Hamas attack on October 7th. In response, Trump vowed to cancel $400 million in funds from the anti-Semitic university by revoking federal funds from Columbia University for $400 million because he was unable to effectively deal with anti-Semiticism from the anti-Semitic university.
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