Elise Stefanik
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Amid escalating anti-Israel protests across college campuses, a prominent House Republican has advocated for the deportation of foreign (F1) visa holders attending U.S. universities and engaging in anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Deported
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“Yes, absolutely. They should be deported,” Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said. “They are pro-Hamas members of a mob who are calling for the eradication of Israel. They are calling for genocide against Jews around the world and in America. It is unthinkable that we are allowing this to happen at U.S. universities.”
Apologists
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Stefanik, the Chairwoman of the House GOP Conference, stated in an interview with Fox News that university presidents are acting as “apologists” who refuse to address anti-Semitism and support for Hamas are essentially making excuses for such behavior.
Anti-Semitism
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Stefanik, known for her rigorous interrogation of former University of Pennsylvania and Harvard presidents regarding their handling of anti-Semitism and threats against Jewish students, has drawn comparisons between their actions and those of Columbia President Nemat Minouche Shafik.
Academic consequences
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Shafik recently issued warnings of academic consequences for students involved in round-the-clock protests on the quad, but enforcement has been minimal. Stefanik expressed disappointment in the lack of disciplinary action.
Safeguarding students
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She expected that the House Education & the Workforce Committee hearings involving other university administrators would reinforce the importance of safeguarding students of all religious backgrounds and denouncing anti-Semitism.
Forced out
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According to Stefanik, “We have seen the exact opposite in the case of both Harvard and Penn. While their university presidents were forced out because of their morally bankrupt answers to my question in that historic hearing, we have not seen those schools step up to protect Jewish students.”
Jewish students
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She continued, “Then, of course, we have the Columbia University hearing with President Shafik, where clearly their strategy was say whatever you have to to get through the hearing, to try to avoid the fate of the Penn and Harvard president, but yet their actions — they weren’t taking any action on campus to protect Jewish students, to address the rise of antisemitism.”
Investigating
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She mentioned that the GOP caucus, led by Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, is currently investigating potential avenues to address the ongoing unrest. This includes exploring the possibility of revisiting federal funding allocations to universities, student visa regulations, and other potential measures.
Taxpayers
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“American taxpayers don’t want to support antisemitism,” she said. “They oppose antisemitism, and we know that we’re going to continue to stand up for what’s morally right.”
Shafik’s resignation
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Although Stefanik joined fellow legislators in demanding Shafik’s resignation through a letter dated April 22, other New York lawmakers with a closer connection to the situation articulated their views in varying ways.
Jerry Nadler
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Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., along with State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, and additional Jewish Democrats in New York, released a collective statement on X (formerly Twitter) opposing the demands for Shafik’s resignation. They emphasized that the college president upholds the same values as they do of “academic freedom, free speech, and… ensuring that all students no matter their religion or beliefs at Columbia feel safe and are protected.”
