Rep. Beth Van Dine on anti-Semitism deportation bill
Representative Beth Van Dine of North Texas has introduced a bill that would seek to deport foreign nationals accused of anti-Semitic or pro-terrorism rallies.
For weeks, we have seen pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses.
North Texas Rep. Beth Van Dine (R-Irving) is introducing a bill that would make it a reversible crime for non-U.S. citizens arrested and charged during any of these protests. .
The bill seeks to change immigration laws to deport foreign nationals who commit crimes at “anti-terrorism or anti-Semitic gatherings” in the United States.
The bill has been called “a bill in which Hamas supporters have no place here.”
She spoke about the bill and more in an interview with FOX 4's Stephen Dial.
Previous coverage: More than 40 Austin, Utah protesters arrested on Monday
After the order to disperse was issued, law enforcement began clearing the encampment set up on the South Mall and arrested several protesters one by one.
Congresswoman Beth Van Dine: If you come to the United States from a foreign country, your rights are quite limited. It's not guaranteed by the constitution. When you come here and spew hatred of Americans, when you spew hatred against Jews, when you insist that we support the Hamas terrorists who have committed the worst atrocities against Jews since the Holocaust. , when making a request. You are not entitled to stay.
Steven Dial: Do you agree that not everyone participating in these protests are Hamas supporters? They are calling for a ceasefire. They only aim to end this war and not kill innocent people on either side. Do you think everyone who attended the pro-Palestinian rally supports Hamas in some way?
Van Dine: I think there are a lot of people at these rallies who don't know what they stand for. They're there because they think it's cool. They're there because organizers are telling them to go to campus, and they're just doing that. Someone described them in some instances as useful idiots, and it is true. no. Do you think they all are? no. But if you come here from a foreign country and you spew hatred against the American people, you spew hatred against Jews, you support terrorist activities, you commit crimes, if you do that, you I don't think they deserve to remain in this country, and that's what this bill is promoting.
Dial: Some people might call this a racist bill. I mean, some might say, why only target people who aren't from this country? There are also students who are American citizens who are participating in this, so why target people who are not from here?
Van Dine: Well, one thing to say, and the other thing is actually committing crimes on college campuses. I don't think that's a racist act. I believe that people who commit crimes should be held accountable regardless of their skin color, ethnicity, origin, language they speak, or religion they practice. So I think it's wrong to say it's somehow racist. But if you're in this country, you have to have some respect for American laws. And if you are already willing to completely ignore that and preach hatred of Americans who support terrorist activities, hatred of Jews, then you do not deserve the right or privilege to live in our country.
Dial: You recently voted against a major spending aid package that included funding for Ukraine and a ban on TikTok. Please tell me why you voted against it.
Van Dine: Well, there are a lot of bills that we had, but there's also a bill for Taiwan that I supported. I also supported the pro-Israel bill. I did not support the Ukraine bill. Because we are now in a desperate situation at our southern border, trying to do everything we can to ensure that the policies that brought 11 million people into the country illegally are implemented. changed. And that bill is very much supported by Democrats who say in the language of the Ukraine bill how important it is to maintain Ukraine's borders, but in the United States we have no respect for our borders the same way. Apparently not. We had the opportunity over a year ago to attach the HR 2 bill that we passed, the strong border bill that passed the House last year, to the Ukraine bill. This is what the Democratic Party is promoting. So I guess it was a compromise. We would have gotten help to Ukraine, but also to our southern border, which is in very short supply. And you couldn't vote for one without the other.
FILE – House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) speaks with reporters during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Dial: Where do you stand in terms of trust in Speaker Mike Johnson? Do you still trust him?
Van Dine: I think Mike has to hold his hand and go to the Senate. He has to negotiate with Chuck Schumer and the Biden administration. And he also realizes that he doesn't always have the votes he needs to provide coverage to be the best bargaining power. I mean, I fully support Mike Johnson. He's doing the best he can in a bad situation, and there are a lot of people who can't afford to do that job right now. I think he's stepped up and is doing a great job.
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