Republican senators push bill to block visas for religious persecutors abroad
Caroline MolloyA group of Republican senators is backing legislation that would bar foreign individuals involved in religious persecution from obtaining U.S. visas.
The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026 (S.3679), introduced Jan. 15 by Republican Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny visas to individuals who have “directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.”
Under the bill, an individual would be deemed inadmissible to the U.S. if he or she meets one of two criteria: while serving as a foreign government official, the person was responsible for particularly severe violations of religious freedom; or, at any time while outside the U.S., the person directed, authorized, significantly supported, or participated in violations of religious freedom.
The secretary of state and consular officers would make determinations during the visa process, based on credible evidence such as State Department reports. The bill also requires that the names of individuals found inadmissible be publicly posted online in most cases.
Several Republican senators have signed on as cosponsors of the bill, including Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ashley Moody of Florida, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Jim Banks of Indiana, John Kennedy of Louisiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma, and Ted Cruz of Texas. The measure has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The legislation would build on a December 2025 directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deny entry to those who have orchestrated or enabled religious violence abroad, including non-state actors such as militia leaders.
