Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 8182

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

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

Last Updated

2026-04-14T05:23:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 8182 - Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026

Purpose

The bill aims to bar individuals responsible for violations of religious freedom from entering the United States by making them inadmissible under U.S. immigration law. Inadmissible means they cannot receive visas or enter the country.*

Key Provisions

• Amends Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 212(a)(2)(G): Creates a new ground of inadmissibility for aliens (non-U.S. citizens) who:
• While serving as foreign government officials, were responsible for or directly carried out particularly severe violations of religious freedom (defined in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 as systematic, ongoing, egregious persecution based on religion).
• At any time outside the U.S., directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, were responsible for, or carried out particularly severe violations or general violations of religious freedom (defined as restrictions on the ability to practice religion).
• Public Disclosure Requirement:
• The Secretary of State must post on a public State Department website:
• Names of inadmissible aliens.
• Countries or locations where violations occurred.
• Exception: The Secretary can withhold an individual's name in sole, unreviewable discretion if disclosure would harm U.S. foreign policy. In such cases, the Secretary must report reasons to Congress semiannually.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Replaces the prior INA Section 212(a)(2)(G) entirely with this expanded provision.
• Introduces public website listing of perpetrators (with limited exceptions), overriding usual confidentiality of immigration records (under INA Section 222(f)).
• Broadens scope to include non-officials who support or participate in violations outside the U.S., not just officials committing "particularly severe" acts.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload for the State Department (public listings, case-by-case reviews, congressional reports) and immigration authorities (visa screenings).
• Citizens and Residents: Enhances protection by blocking entry of those linked to religious persecution; promotes transparency via public list.
• International Relations: Could strain ties with countries whose officials are listed; exceptions allow flexibility for diplomacy.
• No direct impact on U.S. citizens' rights or domestic religious freedom.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Foreign government officials and individuals involved in religious freedom violations (directly barred from U.S. entry).
• U.S. State Department (implements listings and exceptions).
• Victims of religious persecution abroad (indirectly protected).
• U.S. Congress (receives reports on exceptions).
• Immigration applicants and visa processes generally.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on existing definitions from the International Religious Freedom Act; unreviewable Secretary discretion limits judicial oversight, common in immigration/foreign affairs but could face challenges.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's plenary power over immigration; public disclosures balance transparency with foreign policy needs under executive authority.
• Political: Strengthens U.S. stance on global religious freedom without new funding or enforcement mechanisms; bipartisan sponsors signal cross-party support for human rights-linked immigration restrictions.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

Cosponsors (10)

Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

Recent Actions

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

Bill Versions

• Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-02 — PDF (4 pages)