No Visas for Anti-Semitic Students Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2866

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T16:39:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Visas for Anti-Semitic Students Act" (H.R. 2866) aims to protect U.S. foreign policy interests by revoking or denying student visas to non-citizens who engage in specific antisemitic activities while in the United States. It targets nonimmigrant students on F (academic) or M (vocational) visas, using antisemitism as a basis for immigration enforcement.

Key Provisions

• Visa Revocation or Denial: The Secretary of State must revoke or deny F or M visas to any non-citizen who, after the bill's enactment:
• Engages in "prohibited antisemitic conduct."
• Is determined to pose "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the U.S., based on criteria in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) related to activities threatening national security or foreign relations.
• Definitions:
• Antisemitism: Uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition adopted by the U.S. State Department on May 26, 2016, including contemporary examples like denying Jewish self-determination or applying double standards to Israel.
• Prohibited Antisemitic Conduct: Limited to:
• Physical acts of violence, vandalism, or harassment targeting Jewish individuals, their property, community institutions, or religious facilities, with intent to intimidate or harm based on Jewish identity.
• Providing "material support" (e.g., funding, organizing, or inciting) to someone known to intend such acts.
• Nonimmigrant Status Restrictions: Amends INA Section 214 to:
• Bar granting or maintaining F or M status for those engaging in prohibited conduct with foreign policy risks.
• Require visa revocation if such conduct is found post-admission.
• Enforcement: Relies on existing INA processes for foreign policy-based decisions, without creating new agencies or penalties beyond immigration consequences.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new subsection (s) to INA Section 214, explicitly linking antisemitic conduct to the denial or revocation of student nonimmigrant status, tying it to foreign policy impacts under INA Section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).
• Expands the use of the IHRA antisemitism definition in immigration law, previously adopted by the State Department but not directly tied to visa decisions for students.
• Does not alter core INA visa categories but introduces a targeted ground for action against specific hate-based behaviors, distinct from broader security or criminal grounds.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload for the State Department in investigating and deciding visa cases involving alleged antisemitic conduct; may involve coordination with the Department of Homeland Security for status enforcement. Could lead to more discretionary foreign policy assessments in immigration.
• Citizens and Residents: U.S. Jewish communities and institutions may benefit from reduced targeting on campuses, potentially enhancing safety. However, it could indirectly affect free speech discussions on U.S. college campuses if students self-censor to avoid immigration risks.
• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. stance against antisemitism, possibly improving ties with Israel and allies concerned about global antisemitism. Might strain relations with countries whose students face visa actions, leading to diplomatic complaints or reciprocal measures.
• Broader Effects: Could deter international enrollment in U.S. universities if students perceive heightened scrutiny, impacting higher education diversity and revenue.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• International Students on F/M Visas: Primary targets; risk losing legal status and facing deportation for prohibited conduct.
• U.S. Universities and Colleges: May see disruptions in student populations; could influence campus policies on protests or events to avoid liability.
• Jewish Individuals and Communities: Potential beneficiaries through reduced harassment or violence.
• U.S. Government (State and Homeland Security Departments): Responsible for implementation, investigations, and decisions.
• Foreign Governments: Affected if their nationals' visas are revoked, potentially leading to bilateral tensions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Builds on existing INA foreign policy provisions, avoiding new criminal penalties and focusing on immigration status. However, determinations of "prohibited conduct" and "foreign policy consequences" introduce subjective elements that could face court challenges over consistency or evidence standards.
• Constitutional: Raises potential First Amendment concerns, as "harassment" or "incitement" must be narrowly defined to avoid chilling protected speech (e.g., political criticism of Israel); the bill limits scope to physical acts or knowing support, but enforcement could test boundaries between conduct and expression.
• Political: Addresses rising antisemitism, particularly on campuses amid global events, signaling U.S. commitment to combating hate. As an introduced bill (referred to the House Judiciary Committee), it reflects partisan priorities on immigration and civil rights but lacks bipartisan details in the text; passage could influence future hate crime or visa policies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Visas for Anti-Semitic Students Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (4 pages)