To require an institution of higher education that becomes aware that a student having nonimmigrant status under subparagraph (F)(i) or (J) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) has endorsed or supported a foreign terrorist organization to notify the SEVIS, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2204
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to enhance national security by requiring U.S. colleges and universities to report international students who support or endorse foreign terrorist groups, leading to visa revocation and potential deportation. It targets students on temporary student visas to prevent activities that could threaten public safety.
Key Provisions
- Reporting Requirement: Colleges and universities must immediately notify the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS—a federal database tracking international students) if they learn that a student on an F-1 (academic student) or J-1 (exchange visitor) visa has engaged in activities supporting or endorsing a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
- Visa Revocation: The Secretary of State must revoke the student's visa if evidence confirms the involvement.
- Deportation Process: For students whose visas are revoked under this law, the Secretary of Homeland Security must start removal (deportation) proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act (the main U.S. immigration law).
- Definitions:
- Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO): A group officially labeled as such by the U.S. government under existing immigration law (section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act).
- Institution of Higher Education: Any approved U.S. college or university required to report student data to the government under immigration rules.
- SEVIS: The Department of Homeland Security's online system for monitoring nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This introduces a mandatory, immediate reporting duty for higher education institutions specifically tied to terrorism support, which was not explicitly required before. Institutions already use SEVIS for routine updates (like enrollment changes), but this adds a new trigger for national security alerts.
- It streamlines visa revocation and deportation for these cases, making the process automatic upon confirmation, rather than relying on discretionary investigations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Departments of State and Homeland Security, including more visa revocations, deportation cases, and SEVIS updates, potentially straining resources.
- Citizens and Residents: Indirectly bolsters public safety by addressing potential terrorism risks on campuses, but could heighten scrutiny of international student communities.
- International Relations: May deter students from countries associated with FTOs from studying in the U.S., affecting educational exchanges and diplomatic ties; it could signal stricter U.S. immigration enforcement on security grounds.
- Higher Education: Institutions face compliance burdens, such as monitoring student activities, which might require new policies or training, and could lead to loss of tuition revenue from deported students.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- International Students on F-1 or J-1 Visas: Directly at risk of visa loss and deportation if involved with FTOs.
- U.S. Colleges and Universities: Responsible for detection and reporting, facing potential penalties for non-compliance.
- U.S. Government Agencies: Departments of Homeland Security (overseeing SEVIS and deportations) and State (handling visas) must implement and enforce the rules.
- Foreign Governments and Organizations: Could influence bilateral relations, especially with nations where FTOs operate, and affect global student mobility.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of immigration laws by linking campus activities to federal security measures, but relies on clear evidence of "support or endorsement" to avoid misuse; courts may review cases for due process in revocations and deportations.
- Constitutional: Raises potential free speech concerns under the First Amendment, as "endorsement" could overlap with protected expression, though the bill focuses on non-citizens and terrorism ties, which receive narrower protections.
- Political: Positions as a counter-terrorism initiative, likely appealing to security-focused lawmakers, but could spark debates on campus freedoms and anti-immigrant perceptions; as an introduced bill, its passage would depend on congressional priorities in immigration and education committees.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To require an institution of higher education that becomes aware that a student having nonimmigrant status under subparagraph (F)(i) or (J) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) has endorsed or supported a foreign terrorist organization to notify the SEVIS, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (3 pages)