Washington, March 10 (NationPress) — US Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated on Monday that foreign visitors in the United States, including international students on college campuses, are required to adhere to American laws or face the possibility of losing their right to stay in the country.

In an interview with The Brief, Dhillon emphasized the necessity for authorities to implement strict measures against individuals who break laws or exhibit disruptive behavior on campuses.

“Anyone visiting America must comply with the law, particularly on college campuses — or they should leave,” she remarked. “The Justice Department maintains a zero tolerance policy towards violence or hate directed at students and will uphold their civil rights,” noted the Indian American attorney in a social media update.

Her comments come in the wake of ongoing tensions at various US universities following protests connected to the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the wider Middle East conflict.

Addressing the unrest on American campuses, Dhillon expressed significant concerns regarding antisemitism and the disruptive protests occurring at prominent universities.

“It’s highly likely that there is considerable antisemitism present at our Ivy League institutions today, particularly in relation to the October 7th, 2023, protests and disturbances on our campuses,” she added.

She reiterated that authorities should take a strong stance when visitors violate laws.

“We must implement a zero tolerance policy for such behavior,” she insisted. “If you are a guest in our country — as Marco Rubio has articulated more eloquently than I — you do not have the right to break our laws or disrupt our campuses.”

Dhillon stressed that foreign nationals entering the United States are guests and must respect the country’s legal system.

“You are a guest. You are a visitor. You cannot come in and disregard our norms and expect a warm welcome,” she stated.

She also mentioned that like any other nation, the United States has the authority to enforce its laws and determine who is allowed to remain.

“It is entirely justifiable for our country, similar to other nations, to regulate our borders by asserting that if you do not abide by our laws, you can be removed,” Dhillon explained.

She pointed out that some countries enforce such regulations more effectively than the US.

“Other nations perform significantly better in this regard than we do,” she remarked. “Thus, when someone is convicted of a crime, they lose their right to remain here…”

Her statements reflect an ongoing political discussion in the United States regarding campus protests, immigration enforcement, and the obligations of foreign students studying at American universities.

Extensive protests erupted at numerous campuses following the onset of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023. These demonstrations drew sharp reactions from lawmakers and federal officials, with many demanding increased measures against antisemitism while also raising concerns about free speech rights.

International students comprise a significant portion of the US higher education landscape, with over one million foreign students enrolled in American institutions. Their presence greatly contributes to academic research, innovation, and the US economy, while visa regulations mandate their compliance with federal and campus rules.