S. 2502: Preventing the Forced Return of Uyghurs Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Preventing the Forced Return of Uyghurs Act of 2025, aims to restrict the entry into the United States of certain officials from the People’s Republic of China. The primary focus is on those who are believed to be involved in the forced repatriation of Uyghurs and other specific individuals considered at risk of persecution in China.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Denial of Entry

The bill states that the Secretary of State is prohibited from issuing visas to, and the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security cannot grant admission to, any current or former Chinese government official who is determined to be responsible for or complicit in:

• The forced return of any Uyghur individual from their last habitual residence to China.
• The forced return of any individual from other ethnic or religious groups who is likely to face persecution upon return to China.

2. Referral for Sanctions

If an official is denied entry under the above terms, the Secretary of State is required to refer their case to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the Department of the Treasury. This office will assess whether to impose sanctions, which could involve blocking the official's property or financial transactions in the U.S.

3. Waiver Provisions

The bill includes provisions that allow the Secretary of State to waive the denial of entry for specific officials if:

• It is deemed in the national interest of the United States to grant such a waiver.
• The circumstances that led to the official's ineligibility have sufficiently changed.

4. Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of State must submit reports to Congress regarding:

• Details of officials denied admission or immigration benefits under the bill.
• Any waivers granted and the justifications for those waivers.

These reports are required to be submitted in a public format, although they may include classified information as an annex.

5. Duration of the Law

The provisions of this section will remain in effect for five years from the date the law is enacted.

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