S. 3679: Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026, seeks to modify the current immigration laws in the United States to deny entry to individuals who have been involved in severe violations of religious freedom. It specifically targets foreign government officials who have directly engaged in, or have been responsible for, serious infringements on religious freedoms either while acting in their official capacity or while outside the United States.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Inadmissibility Criteria: The bill establishes that any foreign national (referred to as "aliens" in legal terms) who has committed such violations, whether as government officials or in any other capacity outside the United States, shall be deemed inadmissible to enter the U.S.
• Definitions of Violations: The bill references the definitions of "particularly severe violations of religious freedom" as outlined in existing law, specifically the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
• Public Disclosure of Names: The Secretary of State is mandated to publicly list the names of individuals banned from entry under this act on a Department of State website, along with the locations where these violations occurred. However, there is a provision allowing the Secretary to withhold names if disclosing them would negatively impact U.S. foreign policy.
• Reporting Requirements: If any names are excluded from public disclosure, the Secretary of State must provide a semiannual report to Congress explaining the reasons for this decision.

Impact on Immigration Process

The bill aims to strengthen the immigration process related to human rights by ensuring that individuals known for committing egregious acts against religious freedoms are prevented from entering the United States. This could potentially influence international relations, especially with countries where religious persecution is prevalent.

Concerns and Considerations

While the bill outlines a strict approach towards those involved in religious persecution, it also raises questions about:

• Implementation: How the criteria for determining involvement in such violations will be applied practically.
• Transparency vs. National Security: Balancing public transparency with national security interests when it comes to withholding names from public lists.
• Potential Ramifications: The effect this may have on diplomatic relationships with nations where these violations are occurring, and how it may impact U.S. policy towards those countries.

Relevant Companies

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