Anti-American Activism by Foreign Students

Submitted by Sofa Sogood (United States), Feb 21, 2007 at 14:07

Thanks for the clarification. You seem to be very well informed, so maybe you can clarify a few more points if you have the info.

Back in the 80's, I was told by foreign friends who had applied for tourist visas to visit the US, that questionnaires included questions about whether they had ever had any connections with communism. Had they answered "yes" I assume they would have been denied entry, and had they answered "yes" and then later become involved in communist activity in the US, they would have been deported. Aren't there any laws in place that would subject foreign students who come to the US to deportation if they get involved in anti-American activism, or activism against allies of the US? Or any political activism, for that matter. After all, a student on a visa is a "guest" who has been "invited" to the US for the purpose of study -- not for the purpose of political activism.

I don't see this as a free speech issue -- they could continue to free speech all the way to the airport. It's a matter of having been granted an invitation and opportunity for one purpose -- study -- and abuse of that privilege -- thus their invitation withdrawn. They could continue their "activism" in their own countries.
Any country has the right to keep out foreign agitators. And that goes double for free democracies whose own citizens are free to deal with their own issues.

During WWII, I don't recall any foreign students (or any foreigners at all) being given a free hand to agitate or to shout "down with America" or "down with England" on our campuses. During the Viet Nam era, it was the American students who were demonstrating -- that's a separate issue.

Of course, our Professors -- some call themselves "Activist Professors" -- are deeply involved in Anti-American and Anti-Israeli agitation under the ideas/laws of "free speech" and non-governmental interference in what is taught at universities. But again, regarding "activism"/"agitation" whether they are US Citizens or foreigners ought to be completely separate issues.

There's no doubt that during the Cold War, the Soviets would have so loved to have been able to make huge donations to our universities and thus have a strong foothold of influence in the US and its future. Why is it that the Wahabbis and their like are welcomed to do so? Wahabbism is as much a political movement as it is a religion and should be evaluated as such.

Isn't anyone paying attention?

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