(Texas Scorecard) — U.S. Rep. August Pfluger has introduced two new measures to promote public safety and enforce law and order.
“I’m proud to introduce two critical pieces of legislation to ensure safety and uphold the rule of law,” the congressman said in a press release on Tuesday.
The Uproot Rioting International Students Engaged in Radical Subversion (UPRISERS) Act aims to preserve order and protect communities. The proposed legislation allows for the deportation of foreign students and faculty in the U.S. on visas found guilty of participating in violent acts or rioting.
Pfluger added, “The ‘UPRISERS Act’ will revoke the visas of any international students, faculty members, exchange visitors, and any other individuals in the US on an academic-related visa who assault a police officer or participate in riots.”
In addition, Pfluger has also proposed the Freeze Aid for Student Assaulters (FAFSA) Act of 2024. The legislation aims to prevent violence and foster a safe learning environment for all students.
When preparing the new legislation, Pfluger, who is chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s subcommittee on Counterterrorism, told Texas Scorecard in May that he didn’t think taxpayers should be paying for the tuition of people who participate in riots or assault law enforcement.
The FAFSA Act would take away federal student aid for those convicted of assaulting police or for organizing, encouraging, or engaging in riots. The financial assistance received would become a loan students must repay.
“If you attack our officers or riot in our streets, you will face consequences—no exceptions,” Pfluger stated.
Many anti-Israel protests occurred at universities and colleges across the country, which generally have large populations of international students.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, pro-Hamas protests consisted of “U.S. students, foreign students, and even some college administrators,” and “the schools where these protests are taking place do make up some of the top foreign-student-heavy campuses.”
When anti-Israel protests took place at the University of Texas at Austin in April, resulting in several arrests, Gov. Greg Abbott stated that students who participated in the antisemitic protests on public campuses should face expulsion.
During the anti-Israel protests at UT Austin, 45 of the 79 individuals arrested for criminal trespass were reportedly not affiliated with the campus. Travis County Attorney Delia Garza recently dropped charges against all 79 individuals.
Pfluger’s measures have been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and await further action.