Republicans back bill to remove foreign nationals for security reasons

Existing law allows such people to remain in the country at the discretion of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

By Brett Rowland | The Center Square

Published: January 13, 2024 11:17pm

(The Center Square) -

House and Senate Republicans are pushing a bill that would force removal proceedings for foreign nationals who have a visa revoked on security grounds.

Existing law allows such people to remain in the country at the discretion of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and others introduced the Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act to mandate the Department of Homeland Security start removal proceedings for any person whose visa is revoked on security-related grounds.

"Supporting terrorism disqualifies individuals from having a visa, and we should not allow these individuals to remain in our country based on the whims of this administration," Rubio said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, introduced companion legislation in the House.

"At a time when Biden’s Border Crisis is crippling the American people, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to solving this crisis, and the Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act is a significant step in that direction," Hunt said in a statement.