United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delivered a clear message about American visa regulations, emphasizing that obtaining entry into the country is never an automatic process for any applicant, including students.
No Constitutional Right to US Visa
During a detailed conversation with commentator Ben Shapiro, Rubio explicitly stated that no one possesses a constitutional or legal right to receive a US visa. The senior official explained that consular officers routinely deny visas for various reasons worldwide, ranging from suspicion of potential overstaying to criminal associations.
"It's not guaranteed by law," Rubio affirmed. "Every day, consular officers deny visas for all kinds of reasons - suspicion of overstaying, criminal associations, whatever it may be. Visas are denied worldwide daily. No one is entitled to one."
Rubio addressed what he described as a common misconception among applicants - the belief that entry is automatically permitted unless specific denial grounds are identified. He firmly corrected this understanding, stating "The burden of proof is the other way around."
National Security Concerns Take Priority
The Secretary of State elaborated on national security considerations, indicating that students who openly support organizations designated as terrorist entities by the United States would face likely visa rejection. He specifically mentioned Hamas as an example of such organizations.
"If a student visa applicant openly supports terrorist organisations like Hamas, or anything that goes against the principles of American policies, they would likely be denied entry," Rubio stated. "We probably wouldn't let them in - and we shouldn't."
Rubio further clarified that even if such support becomes evident after an individual has already entered the United States, their visa remains subject to revocation. While acknowledging this process might involve additional formalities, he maintained that "If we later discover information that would have led to denial in the first place, that's grounds for revocation."
America First Policy in Visa Decisions
Aligning with the Trump administration's 'America First' approach, Rubio emphasized that national interest remains the paramount consideration in visa determinations. He argued that it doesn't serve American foreign policy or national security interests to admit individuals onto campuses who might promote or justify organizations committed to violence and destruction.
The Secretary concluded by reaffirming the government's authority in immigration matters, stating "We have the right to deny visas before entry and revoke them after entry if someone's presence undermines our national security or interests. That's exactly what we intend to do."
These comments emerge against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's recent softened stance on H1-B visas. During a Fox News interview earlier this month, the President acknowledged America's talent shortage and expressed need for foreign skilled workers in critical sectors like technology and defense. This position has drawn criticism from conservative Republican bases, who accuse Trump of compromising the party's traditional hardline immigration principles.
