AUSTIN – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act, which would expand a provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to make any member of or person who publicly endorses the terrorist activities of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Palestine Islamic Jihad, or any successor or affiliate group inadmissible to the United States:

“In the aftermath of Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel two years ago, we’ve seen an alarming wave of antisemitic, pro-terrorist advocacy by foreign visa holders present in the U.S. who seek to do Americans harm,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By broadening the Immigration and Nationality Act, this commonsense legislation would ensure those who support or sympathize with terrorist groups and their affiliates are inadmissible to the United States, and I’m proud to support it.”

“Ever since the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7, we have seen a dramatic rise in pro-Hamas rhetoric across our country, including from international students here on visas. This needs to stop,” said Sen. Budd. “Those seeking to come to the U.S., whether for school, work, or otherwise, and who publicly endorse Foreign Terrorist Organizations, must face consequences for their actions. The Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act will close ambiguous loopholes in our immigration law by prohibiting them from entering our borders.”

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Rick Scott (R-FL) also cosponsored the legislation. U.S. Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) previously introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.

Background:

Following Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, there has been a wave of anti-Israel, antisemitic, and pro-Hamas advocacy by foreign visa holders present in the United States, as well as visa applicants seeking to enter the country. The Trump administration has revoked the visas of individuals who engaged in pro-Hamas advocacy and tightened the vetting process to detect such advocacy conducted by visa applicants.

Currently, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “an alien who is an officer, official, representative, or spokesman of the Palestine Liberation Organization” is considered to be “engaged in a terrorist activity” and therefore inadmissible to the United States. The Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act would expand this provision to include a “spokesperson, or member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Palestine Islamic Jihad, or any successor or affiliate group” or someone “who endorses or espouses terrorist activities conducted by any of the aforementioned groups.” It would also close potential loopholes by making this ban explicit in statute rather than relying on agencies to make these terrorism designations on a case-by-case basis.