U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has joined Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and several other Republican colleagues to introduce the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act. The proposed legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), making individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom ineligible for U.S. visas.
Senator Cruz stated, “Individuals who encourage or facilitate religious persecution, such as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria or Uyghurs in China, pose a threat to the safety and security of Americans and should not be allowed on American soil. I am proud to join Senator Budd in introducing this bill.”
Senator Budd emphasized the ongoing violence against religious minorities: “Nigeria is just one of many examples where non-state actors and terrorist groups are carrying out kidnappings and killings of Christians and other religious minorities. It is entirely unacceptable for the U.S., a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom, to allow such foreign nationals into our country. By codifying the Trump administration’s directive to bar these malign actors from obtaining U.S. visas, we are establishing robust consequences for violators and sending a loud and clear message to the rest of the world that America will not tolerate any attack on religious freedom.”
The bill has been co-sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.).
Senator Cotton added, “Any foreign official that is involved in the persecution of Christians, in Nigeria or anywhere else, has no business setting foot in the United States. This bill builds upon the decisive actions taken by Secretary of State Rubio and President Trump.”
Senator Lankford commented, “Religious freedom is a God-given right, and our nation should never open its doors to those who persecute people of faith. If you direct, support, or take part in religious persecution, you should never be allowed to enter the United States.”
Senator Moody said, “Our great country was founded on protecting the God given rights of man. Our nation’s Constitution guarantees it. I am proud to support the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act which prevents religious terrorists and oppressors of Christians and other religious minorities from ever entering our great nation.”
Senator Kennedy remarked, “Secretary Rubio is doing the right thing by blocking the monsters who trample on other people’s religious liberty from receiving visas. Now, it’s up to Congress to make these important Trump administration reforms permanent. I’m proud to help Senator Budd introduce the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act to protect our country from those who don’t respect our First Amendment freedoms.”
Senator Blackburn noted that “The United States should not be a safe haven for those who persecute people of faith. The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar visas for individuals who have directed, supported, or carried out violations of religious freedom.”
The legislation aims to expand visa restrictions beyond government officials by including terrorist or non-state actors responsible for violations against religious groups. It would also require public disclosure by making names of inadmissible individuals accessible unless doing so could harm foreign policy interests.
This legislative effort follows previous actions related to international religious freedom concerns. In September 2025, Senator Cruz introduced similar legislation focused on holding Nigerian officials accountable for violence against Christians and other minorities.
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a policy under existing law in December 2025 that allows restricting visas for those committing serious violations against religious freedom—a move prompted by reports concerning attacks on minority groups in Nigeria but applicable globally.
Ted Cruz recently won re-election in Texas during 2024 with 53.1% of votes compared with Colin Allred's 44.6%. In earlier elections he also prevailed over Beto O'Rourke in 2018 with 50.9% versus 48.3%, as well as defeating Paul Sadler in 2012 with 56.5% against 40.6%.
