Secretary of State Marco Rubio is defending the Trump administration’s decision to deport a Turkish Fulbright Scholar accused of supporting Hamas—and he’s encouraging other nations to follow America’s lead in cracking down on foreign nationals who violate the terms of their stay.
The student, Rumeysa Ozturk, was studying at Tufts University when federal authorities detained her on allegations of promoting and amplifying propaganda in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. She has since been deported.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, Rubio made it clear that the U.S. won’t tolerate any foreign national abusing their visa to promote extremism or disrupt American institutions.
Rubio: “You’re a Guest—Act Like It”
Rubio drew a sharp analogy to drive home the point:
“If someone is a guest in your house and starts smashing your furniture and threatening your family, you throw them out. It’s no different with our country.”
He emphasized that student visas are a privilege—not a right—and that those who come to the U.S. under the guise of education are expected to focus on academics, not anti-American activism or terrorist sympathizing.
“If you’re here to study, then study,” Rubio said. “But if you’re using your time in America to promote violence or hate, your visa will be revoked, and you’ll be sent home.”
Setting a Global Example
Rubio went further, calling on other nations to adopt the same policy:
“I encourage every country to do that. Why should anyone tolerate someone entering their country on good faith, only to use that opportunity to create chaos?”
The deportation highlights the Trump administration’s broader effort to protect national security by holding foreign nationals accountable—particularly those with ties to extremist movements.
Free Speech vs. National Security?
While some left-wing groups have criticized the move as an attack on free speech, Rubio and Trump officials have pushed back hard. They argue that supporting terrorist organizations goes far beyond protected speech, especially when it’s done by non-citizens on U.S. soil.
“This is not about opinions. This is about safety, sovereignty, and the rule of law,” Rubio added.
No Apologies
Under President Trump, the message is clear: If you enter the United States and use that opportunity to promote extremism, you will be removed—swiftly and unapologetically. Secretary Rubio’s comments reinforce a firm policy rooted in common sense: America welcomes guests—but not those who threaten its people or values.
.@SecRubio on detained Turkish student: “We revoked her visa…We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses. If we’ve given you a visa and then you decide to do that we’re going to take it away. pic.twitter.com/s6yKQ2WqwY
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 27, 2025