Sens. Cruz, Budd, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Banning Foreign Violators of Religious Freedom from Obtaining U.S. Visas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and colleagues in introducing the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act. This legislation amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by restricting the issuance of visas to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.

Sen. Cruz said, “Individuals who encourage or facilitate religious persecution, such as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria or Uyghurs in China, pose a threat to the safety and security of Americans and should not be allowed on American soil. I am proud to join Senator Budd in introducing this bill.”

Sen. Budd said, “Nigeria is just one of many examples where non-state actors and terrorist groups are carrying out kidnappings and killings of Christians and other religious minorities. It is entirely unacceptable for the U.S., a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom, to allow such foreign nationals into our country. By codifying the Trump administration’s directive to bar these malign actors from obtaining U.S. visas, we are establishing robust consequences for violators and sending a loud and clear message to the rest of the world that America will not tolerate any attack on religious freedom.”

U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) joined in co-sponsoring the legislation.

Sen. Cotton said, “Any foreign official that is involved in the persecution of Christians, in Nigeria or anywhere else, has no business setting foot in the United States. This bill builds upon the decisive actions taken by Secretary of State Rubio and President Trump.”

Sen. Lankford said, “Religious freedom is a God-given right, and our nation should never open its doors to those who persecute people of faith. If you direct, support, or take part in religious persecution, you should never be allowed to enter the United States.”

Sen. Moody said, “Our great country was founded on protecting the God given rights of man. Our nation’s Constitution guarantees it. I am proud to support the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act which prevents religious terrorists and oppressors of Christians and other religious minorities from ever entering our great nation.”

Sen. Kennedy said, “Secretary Rubio is doing the right thing by blocking the monsters who trample on other people’s religious liberty from receiving visas. Now, it’s up to Congress to make these important Trump administration reforms permanent. I’m proud to help Senator Budd introduce the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act to protect our country from those who don’t respect our First Amendment freedoms.”

Sen. Blackburn said, “The United States should not be a safe haven for those who persecute people of faith. The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar visas for individuals who have directed, supported, or carried out violations of religious freedom.”

Read the full bill text here.

BACKGROUND

In September 2025, Sen. Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025. This legislation protects Christians and other religious minorities being persecuted in Nigeria by holding accountable Nigerian officials who facilitate Islamist jihadist violence and the imposition of blasphemy laws.

On December 3, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the U.S. Department of State to restrict visa issuance to individuals who have committed violations of religious freedom.

While this decision came in response to reports of brutal killings and violence against religious minorities in Nigeria, the policy implemented by the Trump administration could apply to any foreign individual who is directly responsible for or involved with severe violations of religious persecution.

The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026:

• Amends the INA to expand visa ineligibility to terrorist or non-state actors responsible for violations of religious freedom, in addition to foreign government officials responsible for the persecution of religious groups.

• Codifies Secretary Rubio’s efforts by sending a clear message to those who violate religious freedom around the world that they are inadmissible to the United States.

• Requires the Secretary of State to make the names of all aliens determined to be inadmissible publicly accessible.

• Provides an exception if the Secretary of State determines that the public release of the identity of such an alien would have adverse foreign policy consequences.