WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), and a group of Republican colleagues introduced the Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act to close loopholes in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and expand the existing INA provision that bans officers, officials, representatives, or spokesmen of the Palestine Liberation Organization to additionally include any member or anyone who publicly endorses the terrorist activities of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Palestine Islamic Jihad, or any successor or affiliate group, from receiving a visa or admission into the United States.
“Freedom of speech does not protect terrorism and calls to terror,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We’re strengthening the law so terrorists and their supporters can go hate us somewhere else.”
“Ever since the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7, we have seen a dramatic rise in pro-Hamas rhetoric across our country, including from international students here on visas. This needs to stop. Those seeking to come to the U.S., whether for school, work, or otherwise, and who publicly endorse Foreign Terrorist Organizations, must face consequences for their actions. The Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act will close ambiguous loopholes in our immigration law by prohibiting them from entering our borders,” said Senator Budd.
Cassidy and Budd were joined by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Rick Scott (R-FL) in introducing the legislation.
“We have a fundamental responsibility to protect American citizens and our allies from those who would spread hatred and violence on our soil. This legislation simply codifies what should be common sense: if you’re a member of or spokesperson for Hamas, Hezbollah, or other terrorist organizations—or if you publicly endorse their barbaric acts—you have no right to enter or remain in the United States. We saw the disgusting displays on college campuses after October 7th, and this bill ensures we have the statutory tools to prevent terrorist sympathizers from exploiting our visa system,” said Senator Lummis.
“The October 7 terrorist attacks were a dark day for the world. Since those attacks, we have witnessed a disturbing rise in pro-Hamas support among foreign visa holders inside the United States. The Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act would ensure that an alien who backs Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, or any other group supporting the Palestine Liberation Organization is deemed inadmissible to the United States,” said Senator Blackburn.
“Our nation has learned the hard lesson that when terrorists come into our country, they harm Americans. I’m proud to join Senator Budd and our colleagues in this commonsense effort to further prevent terrorist sympathizers and associates from coming to the U.S., threatening our national security, and spreading their anti-American propaganda and hatred,” said Senator McCormick.
“Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and those who sympathize with terrorists like Hamas and Hezbollah have absolutely no place in our country. I’m proud to join Senator Budd and our colleagues in introducing this bill to keep our nation safe and send a strong signal across the globe that America will not tolerate any form of violent antisemitism,” said Senator Daines.
“In the aftermath of Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel two years ago, we’ve seen an alarming wave of antisemitic, pro-terrorist advocacy by foreign visa holders present in the U.S. who seek to do Americans harm. By broadening the Immigration and Nationality Act, this commonsense legislation would ensure those who support or sympathize with terrorist groups and their affiliates are inadmissible to the United States, and I’m proud to support it,” said Senator Cornyn.
“Terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda seek to murder Americans. Their terrorist members, spokesmen, and supporters should not be allowed into our country. This bill will keep Americans safe,” said Senator Ricketts.
“America must never be a safe haven for anyone who supports terrorist organizations or celebrates violence against our ally, Israel. After the horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, we saw individuals in this country openly praising Hamas and other foreign terrorist groups. That is unacceptable. This bill makes crystal clear in federal law that any individual in the U.S. on a visa who openly support Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, or any other terrorist organization, is not welcome in the United States. We are closing dangerous loopholes and standing firmly with Israel, with the Jewish community, and with America’s commitment to fight terrorism at every turn,” said Senator Scott.
U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-TX-11) previously introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“There is no place in America for foreign adversaries or terrorist sympathizers. As our nation faces a disturbing rise in antisemitic and illegal alien terror attacks, along with increasing pro-Hamas sentiment on our college campuses, we must take action to ensure our borders are secure from those wishing harm against Americans. The Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act would take a critical step in that effort,” said Representative Pfluger.
Background
Following the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, there has been a wave of anti-Israel, antisemitic, and pro-Hamas advocacy by foreign visa holders present in the United States, as well as visa applicants seeking to enter the country.The Trump administration has revoked the visas of individuals who engaged in pro-Hamas advocacy and tightened the vetting process to detect such advocacy conducted by visa applicants.
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