Several House Republicans, led by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, have introduced legislation to prevent aliens adhering to Sharia law from entering the United States and to deport those already present. The proposal frames Sharia law as an existential threat to American values. Cosponsors include a range of GOP lawmakers from various states.
GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who is running for attorney general in his state, along with other House Republicans, is advancing a bill aimed at prohibiting the admission of aliens who adhere to Sharia law. The measure also calls for the removal of any such individuals currently in the country.
In a press release, Roy stated, "America is facing an existential threat - the spread of Sharia Law. From Texas to every state in the union, instances of Sharia Law adherents have threatened the American way of life, seeking to replace our legal system and Constitution with an incompatible ideology that diminishes the rights of women, children, and individuals of different faiths."
He added, "Europe should be a wakeup call to America, showing what the spread of Sharia law looks like - the erosion of the West. America’s immigration system must be fortified to counter the importation of Sharia adherents – the preservation of our constitutional republic and its people depend on it."
The bill's text specifies: "The Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Attorney General, as applicable, shall deny any immigration benefit, visa, immigration relief, or admission to the United States to any alien who adheres to Sharia law." It further mandates that any alien found to adhere to Sharia law shall have their benefits revoked and be deported. The proposal also addresses false statements about Sharia adherence, treating them as grounds for inadmissibility and removal under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.
Original cosponsors include Reps. Randy Fine of Florida, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Keith Self of Texas. Additional supporters are Reps. Barry Moore of Alabama, Mary Miller of Illinois, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, and Andrew Clyde of Georgia, according to congress.gov.
The legislation highlights concerns over immigration and cultural preservation, though no specific timeline for passage has been mentioned.