Senator Marco Rubio just concluded a game-changing trip to Israel, Qatar and the UK. He aptly directed most of his comments towards the current situation in Gaza. Immediately after this diplomatic mission, Rubio is headed to New York next week for that annual UN General Assembly meeting out there. He introduced landmark legislation just this month to end detention of any U.S. nationals abroad. Meanwhile, he’s going overseas to embolden other countries to strengthen their own national security measures.
Rubio, alongside other lawmakers, introduced a comprehensive bill package that includes a new designation for a “state sponsor of unlawful or wrongful detention.” This new effort aims to hold foreign governments accountable when they engage in the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals. In addition to sunset provisions, the proposed legislation requires greater accountability for wrongful detention cases. This is indicative of an increase in the prioritization of the safety and treatment of American citizens overseas.
Following this news, the U.S. government responded with a pledge to increase screening of visa applications for any “anti-American” sentiments. Critics have charged that this policy is aimed mainly at pro-Palestinian activists, and they have warned that this represents a dangerous incursion on civil liberties. Rubio’s administration has rightly received major blowback for trying to punish pro-Palestinian international students. Critics have been most vocal over plans to implement an AI-powered “Catch and Revoke” regime to detain foreign nationals allegedly linked to Hamas.
U.S. representative Brian Mast has introduced a common sense amendment to prohibit this practice. Specifically, it seeks to strike a controversial provision included in Rubio’s bill that would give him the power to deny or revoke passports of anyone he deems to have given “material support” to terrorist groups. The change followed a heated outcry from civil liberties groups who warned that the new amendment raised serious constitutional issues. Then, they lambasted the increased government overreach and infringement on the rights of U.S. citizens.
“This ensures every dollar and every diplomat puts America First and is accountable to the president’s foreign policy.” – Brian Mast
The amendment will receive its first committee hearing on Wednesday, and it’s there its fate—and the fate of high-speed rail—will be decided. If this amendment passes, it will substantially modify Rubio’s initial proposal. Most Americans view that proposal as an escalation in the President’s war on U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism support.