Trump Admin Defends Visa Cancellation Program as Travel Ban Looms

President Donald Trump’s cabinet is defending its new ‘Catch and Revoke’ visa cancellation program. 

The State Department recently launched the program, which will harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and deport Hamas supporters living in the US on an immigrant visa.

State Department Secretary Marco Rubio, the child of Cuban political refugees, originally floated the idea of revoking Hamas sympathizers’ visas prior to joining the State Department and reaffirmed his support for the program. 

“When you come to the United States as a visitor, which is what a visa is... we can deny you that visa... and if you end up having a green card, and you're here engaging in those activities, we're going to kick you out,” said Secretary Rubio. 

The ‘Catch and Revoke’ program began amidst rumors that President Trump would reinstate his first administration’s travel ban in several Arab countries.

A new travel ban could be authorized under Trump’s January “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security Threats” Executive Order.

Countries included in a ban could reportedly be Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and/or additional countries.

Some Arab advocacy groups have criticized the travel ban and visa cancellation program as hindering free speech and unjustly discriminating against Arab and Muslim individuals. 

Vice President JD Vance rejected such criticisms, arguing the visa cancellation program does not concern “free speech.”

“This is not about 'free speech,' said VP Vance. “Yes, it's about national security — but more importantly, it's about who we, as American citizens, decide gets to join our national community.”

Under current immigration law, visa holders can have their visas revoked and face deportation if charged with a crime.  

According to 18 U.S.C. 2339B, it is illegal to provide material support to any designated terror group.

Material support includes providing any services or tangible or intangible property and can include speech supporting a terror group.