SEVER Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5495
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T19:34:48Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act (SEVER Act), H.R. 5495, aims to prevent certain individuals connected to Iran from entering the United States by denying them visas. It specifically targets those subject to U.S. sanctions related to Iran, building on existing restrictions for representatives attending United Nations (UN) events.
Key Provisions
- Visa Denial Requirement: The bill mandates that the U.S. deny visas to any UN representative (or similar official) who is subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876. This executive order, issued in 2019, imposes financial and other penalties on Iranian officials and entities involved in activities like human rights abuses or support for terrorism.
- Scope: The denial applies to admission into the U.S. for UN-related purposes, such as attending meetings or conferences.
- Effective Date Reference: The sanctions are considered as they were in effect on September 16, 2025, ensuring the law aligns with the executive order's status at that time.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 407(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (a law that already restricts visas for certain foreign officials, such as those from terrorist-supporting countries).
- Adds a new clause to the existing list of visa denial reasons: previously, denials were based on factors like terrorism sponsorship; now, it explicitly includes individuals sanctioned under Executive Order 13876 related to Iran.
- This expands the law without altering its core structure, making the sanctions a permanent, statutory basis for visa restrictions rather than relying solely on executive action.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of State, which handles visa issuance, will face additional administrative requirements to screen UN representatives against sanction lists, potentially increasing workload and compliance checks.
- On Citizens and Residents: Minimal direct impact on U.S. citizens, but it could indirectly enhance national security by limiting entry of sanctioned individuals, reducing risks from those linked to Iranian activities.
- On International Relations: May strain U.S. relations with Iran by enforcing stricter entry barriers, and could affect UN operations if representatives from sanctioned Iranian entities are barred, potentially leading to diplomatic protests or challenges at international forums.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Primarily the Department of State (for visa enforcement) and the Department of the Treasury (for maintaining sanction lists).
- Iranian Officials and Entities: Individuals or representatives from Iran subject to Executive Order 13876 sanctions, such as government officials or those tied to prohibited activities, who may be denied U.S. entry for UN duties.
- United Nations: Could impact participation of Iranian delegates in UN events held in the U.S., affecting global diplomacy.
- Allied Nations: Countries cooperating with U.S. sanctions on Iran may see reinforced alignment, while others might view it as overly restrictive.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the integration of executive sanctions into statutory immigration law, making visa denials more durable against potential future changes in administration policy. It operates within existing immigration authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act, without raising new constitutional issues like due process concerns for non-citizens abroad.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's plenary power over immigration and foreign affairs (as upheld in cases like Kleindienst v. Mandel), allowing restrictions on entry for national security reasons without violating free speech or association rights for affected foreigners.
- Political: Signals bipartisan congressional intent (introduced by Republicans but in a Democratic-led context) to counter Iranian influence, potentially escalating U.S.-Iran tensions amid ongoing nuclear and human rights disputes. It could invite international criticism for politicizing UN access, though it formalizes existing executive policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (2 pages)