Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) called for the United States to deport foreign students who support Hamas after the terrorist group killed more than 1,400 Israelis in last week's terror attack.
"I write to urge you to immediately deport any foreign national—including and especially any alien on a student visa—that has expressed support for Hamas and its murderous attacks on Israel. These fifth-columnists have no place in the United States," Cotton wrote in a Monday letter to Department of Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Cotton called out the "appalling explosion of anti-Semitism" following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.
"The appalling explosion of anti-Semitism in the United States over the past few weeks should disturb anyone who shares American values," Cotton wrote. "While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States."
The call comes after myriad student groups have advocated for Palestinians and Hamas following the attacks.
Lawmakers have slammed their alma maters for their weak responses to the attacks, and some donors have said they'll stop giving to universities that had only a muted response to Hamas's terror.
Former president Donald Trump said this week that if reelected he will bar immigrants who support Hamas from coming to the United States. Other presidential candidates are calling for America to reject refugees from Gaza.