H.R. 3237: No Student Visas for Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025

This bill, titled the No Student Visas for Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025, proposes amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically regarding the issuance of student visas in relation to certain jurisdictions deemed as "sanctuary jurisdictions." A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined in the bill as any state or local government that has laws or practices obstructing immigration enforcement.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Identification of Sanctuary Jurisdictions: The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to identify sanctuary jurisdictions each fiscal year.
• Visa Restrictions: If a student seeks an F-visa (for academic study) or an M-visa (for vocational study) to attend a school in a sanctuary jurisdiction, that visa will not be issued. This applies to:
  • Colleges, universities, and other academic institutions.
  • Vocational or recognized nonacademic institutions.
• Exceptions: The visa prohibition does not apply if the jurisdiction is later determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security to no longer be a sanctuary jurisdiction, and this determination is reported to Congress.
• Definition of Sanctuary Jurisdiction:
  • A jurisdiction that refuses or prohibits compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers.
  • A jurisdiction that imposes unreasonable conditions on ICE compliance.
  • A jurisdiction that denies ICE access to interview individuals in custody.
  • A jurisdiction that otherwise impedes communication between its personnel and federal immigration officers.

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