(DailyChive.com) – Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s clash with Senator Chris Van Hollen over student visa revocations reached boiling point when the Democrat expressed regret for confirming Rubio to his position.
At a Glance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended revoking “thousands” of student visas, stating a visa is “a privilege, not a right”
- Senator Chris Van Hollen accused Rubio of violating free speech and due process protections
- The heated exchange included Van Hollen’s statement that he regrets voting to confirm Rubio
- The dispute centered on cases like Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk, whose visa was revoked after writing an op-ed criticizing her university’s stance on Gaza
- Committee Chairman Jim Risch had to intervene to restore order during the contentious hearing
Visa Revocations at Center of Senate Hearing Confrontation
A Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting turned contentious when Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen confronted Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the administration’s policy of revoking student visas. Rubio, who has become a key figure in President Trump’s cabinet, defended his department’s actions, noting they had revoked “thousands” of visas since taking office. The confrontation highlighted deep divisions over immigration enforcement policies and free speech protections on college campuses as the administration continues its hardline approach on immigration matters.
The dispute centered on specific cases, including that of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student whose visa was revoked after she authored an op-ed calling for divestment from Israel and recognizing Palestinian “genocide.” Ozturk was detained for over six weeks before a federal judge ordered her release on bail, citing insufficient evidence beyond her published opinion piece. Van Hollen pointed to this case as an example of what he characterized as government overreach, while Rubio maintained the State Department was acting appropriately to protect American interests and campus safety.
“Privilege Not a Right”: Rubio Defends Visa Policy
During the heated exchange, Rubio remained firm in his position that foreign visitors have no inherent right to enter or remain in the United States. “It’s very simple. A visa is not a right — it’s a privilege,” Rubio stated, defending his department’s authority to revoke entry privileges. The Secretary further explained that the policy specifically targets individuals engaged in disruptive activities, stating: “If you’re coming to the US to lead campus crusades, to take over libraries, to try to burn down buildings, and (commit) acts of violence, we are not going to give you a visa.”
“It’s very simple. A visa is not a right — it’s a privilege.” – Marco Rubio.
Rubio has overseen significant policy shifts at the State Department, including supporting President Trump’s mass deportation policies and reaching agreements with countries like El Salvador regarding migrant incarceration. The Secretary has also presided over reductions in the US Agency for International Development budget, rejecting claims that such cuts have caused negative humanitarian outcomes. During the hearing, Rubio dismissed a study suggesting deaths due to frozen US funding as “fake,” further inflaming tensions with Senate Democrats.
Van Hollen’s Regret Sparks Heated Response
The confrontation reached its most contentious point when Van Hollen directly addressed Rubio, stating: “I have to tell you directly and personally that I regret voting for you for secretary of state.” This remarkable statement from Van Hollen, who had been part of the unanimous 99-0 Senate vote confirming Rubio, prompted an immediate and pointed response from the Secretary. Rubio fired back that Van Hollen’s regret “confirms I’m doing a good job,” suggesting the criticism validated his approach to implementing the administration’s foreign policy priorities.
“Your campaign of fear and repression is eating away at the foundational values of our democracy,” – Sen. Chris Van Hollen.
Committee Chairman Jim Risch eventually intervened to manage the increasingly acrimonious exchange, limiting Van Hollen’s response time with the pointed comment: “Your time is up, Mr. Senator, and woefully used I might add.” The Senator had compared Rubio’s tactics to those of Senator Joseph McCarthy, known for his controversial anti-communist investigations in the 1950s. A senior State Department official later criticized Van Hollen, suggesting he prioritizes illegal immigrants over his constituents, further escalating the post-hearing rhetoric between the two camps.
Copyright 2025, DailyChive.com
