[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 12, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1694-S1695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Hamas

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, since Hamas's barbaric attack on 
Israel on October 7 of last year, many of our Nation's top universities 
have abandoned their Jewish students. Instead of providing a place to 
learn, they have become hotbeds of anti-Semitism, anti-American hatred, 
and open support for terrorism.
  Here are some examples. At Princeton, students have waved the flags 
of terror groups like Hezbollah. At UCLA, activists set up barricades 
across campus and blocked Jewish students from attending class. At 
George Washington University, a pro-Hamas demonstrator walked around 
campus with a sign calling for a ``Final Solution'' against the Jewish 
people. At Columbia University, students chanted ``We are Hamas'' and 
``Long Live Hamas.''
  In recent weeks, pro-Hamas activists at Barnard College occupied an 
academic building, allegedly assaulted a school employee, and handed 
out fliers produced by the Hamas Media Office. These fliers glorified 
``Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.'' That is Hamas's term for its kidnapping, 
rape, and murder of more than 1,200 Israelis.
  These are not isolated cases. To many Americans and, certainly, many 
Tennesseans, it seems impossible that this would be happening right 
here. But according to Hillel International, there were more than 1,800 
anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses during the 2023-2024 school 
year. Think about that--1,800 anti-Semitic incidents. The thing that is 
so upsetting about this is that is an increase of more than 500 percent 
from the year before. This shows you the organization and the intensity 
of these events.
  What we do know is Jewish students have faced harassment and 
intimidation on their university campuses. And we also know that the 
Biden administration sat on their hands, and they chose to do nothing 
about this. Instead, they sided with the radical activists who turned 
our campuses into cesspools of hatred.
  Now, with President Trump back in the Oval Office, pro-Hamas students 
and the colleges that enable them are being put on notice. Recently, 
Secretary of State Rubio vowed to revoke visas and green cards for any 
foreign students who support terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. 
This is something that I have called for and supported, which is why I 
am so pleased to see this administration--the Trump administration--
actually taking action.
  What we do know is that ICE arrested a former Columbia University 
student who is from Syria. That is Mahmoud Khalil. This was a ring 
leader for Columbia's anti-Israel encampment--as I said, a former 
student.
  As I said, pro-Hamas activists spat on Jewish students. They chanted 
``F--the Jews,'' and they held signs next to Jewish students claiming 
that they would be Hamas's next target. Think about this--if you are a 
19-year-old Jewish college student, and you were there on Columbia's 
campus, and you have a protester holding a sign against your head 
saying you should be the next target.
  In many ways, Khalil was the perfect leader for this anti-Semitic, 
pro-terror movement. What we know is this: Before he enrolled at 
Columbia University, he allegedly served as a political affairs officer 
for UNRWA. That is right, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency there in 
Gaza. This person was a political affairs officer for UNRWA.
  This is the same UNRWA that we now know indoctrinated Palestinian 
children to hate the Jews and stored Hamas's weapons in its facilities 
in Gaza. They actually put ammunition and weapons in the schools--the 
U.N. schools--there in Gaza. We know that they had people affiliated 
with Hamas on their payroll, and we know they provided support and aid 
to the terrorists.
  There is no reason why someone like this should be allowed in our 
country to support terrorism and to promote anti-Jewish bigotry. That 
is why Secretary Rubio is intending to deport Khalil, which this 
administration has the full authority to do under our Federal 
immigration laws. And under this

[[Page S1695]]

administration, I have no doubt we are going to see many more 
deportations.
  As we work to deport Hamas affiliates, my bipartisan No Immigration 
Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act would block any migrant tied to Hamas 
from entering our country. And my No Flights for Terrorists Act would 
put anyone on the no-fly list if they have called for violence against 
the Jewish people or pledged allegiance to a foreign terrorist 
organization.
  At the same time, President Trump is vowing to pull Federal funding 
from schools that fail to protect Jewish students from discrimination. 
Just on Friday, his administration canceled $400 million in grants and 
contracts with Columbia University. That is a good start to 
accountability.
  Right after October 7, I joined Senator Tim Scott in introducing the 
Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act. This legislation would 
rescind Federal funding for any university--any university--in this 
country that authorizes, funds, or facilitates events that promote 
violent anti-Semitism.
  With such widespread failure from our Nation's colleges and 
universities to protect Jewish students, there are billions of dollars 
on the line. One thing should be clear: With President Trump back in 
the Oval Office and Republicans in the majority, pro-Hamas activists 
and colleges are going to face accountability. And if you are visiting 
our great Nation and supporting terrorism, please know this: You will 
be deported.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.