Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7359

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-05-08T08:05:46Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act (H.R. 7359) aims to impose a temporary ban on most immigration benefits for citizens and nationals of Somalia. It emphasizes U.S. sovereignty in controlling borders and prioritizing the safety and rights of American citizens, as stated in its findings. The core goal is to establish a 25-year moratorium on issuing visas or granting immigration status to most Somali nationals.

Key Provisions

• Moratorium on Immigration Benefits: Prohibits the issuance of visas or any immigration status (such as asylum or adjustment of status) to Somali nationals for 25 years from the date of enactment, overriding other laws unless exceptions apply.
• Exceptions to the Ban:
• Individuals lawfully admitted to the U.S. before enactment.
• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
• Holders of specific nonimmigrant visas for diplomats, officials, or international organization employees (A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4).
• Exceptions are granted only by the Secretary of State (or designee), in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security (or designee).
• Ineligibility for Deportation Relief: Somali citizens or nationals become ineligible for certain protections against removal (deportation), such as withholding of removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Severability Clause: If any part of the law is ruled unconstitutional, the rest remains in effect.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 212(a) of the INA (which lists grounds for inadmissibility) by adding a new paragraph (11) that creates a blanket ineligibility for Somali nationals seeking entry or status, except as noted. This introduces a nationality-based restriction not previously in place for Somalia specifically.
• Amends Section 241(b)(3) of the INA (governing restrictions on removal) by adding a provision that bars Somali nationals from relief options during deportation proceedings, expanding ineligibility beyond standard grounds like criminal activity or security risks.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Departments of State and Homeland Security will need to coordinate on exceptions, potentially increasing administrative burdens for visa processing and deportation cases involving Somalis. This could strain resources at U.S. embassies, immigration courts, and border agencies.
• On Citizens and Residents: U.S. citizens or residents with Somali family ties may face delays or denials in sponsoring relatives for immigration. Somali refugees or asylum seekers already in the U.S. under prior admissions are protected, but new arrivals are largely barred.
• On International Relations: The ban could strain U.S. ties with Somalia and international organizations focused on refugee aid, as it limits humanitarian pathways. It may signal a broader restrictive approach to immigration from certain countries, affecting diplomatic efforts in the Horn of Africa region.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Somali Nationals: Primary group impacted, facing a near-total halt on legal immigration pathways for 25 years, except for limited diplomatic or pre-existing cases.
• U.S. Government Officials: Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, plus their designees, who must implement and oversee exceptions.
• Immigration Advocates and Refugees: Organizations aiding Somali refugees (e.g., UNHCR partners) may see reduced U.S. resettlement options, affecting global displacement efforts.
• American Citizens with Somali Connections: Families or communities sponsoring Somali immigrants could encounter barriers.
• Broader Immigrant Community: Sets a precedent for nationality-specific bans, potentially influencing policies for other countries.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill's override of "any other provision of law" could lead to challenges under the INA's anti-discrimination rules (e.g., prohibiting nationality-based visa denials without justification). Courts may scrutinize it for conflicts with asylum laws or international treaties like the UN Refugee Convention, which the U.S. has ratified.
• Constitutional Implications: Raises questions about equal protection under the Fifth Amendment, as it targets a specific nationality without individualized assessments. The severability clause aims to preserve the law if parts are struck down, but it might invite lawsuits on due process grounds for those in deportation proceedings.
• Political Implications: Reflects a congressional push for stricter border control, introduced by Republican members, and could fuel debates on immigration reform. If enacted, it might influence future legislation on country-specific restrictions, amid ongoing discussions on national security and foreign policy.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-04: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2015)
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (4 pages)