S 2893119th CongressIn Committee

SEVER Act of 2025

Introduced: Sep 18, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-Texas)

Immigration

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This Senate bill, titled the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act of 2025 (SEVER Act of 2025), would tighten the United States’ visa admission rules for people tied to sanctions. Specifically, it would expand the list of people who are not eligible for visas to the United States by including individuals who are subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876 (relating to Iran). In its current form, the text shown amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act to deny visas to certain Representatives to the United Nations who are subject to those sanctions. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the Judiciary Committee; it has not yet been enacted.

Key Points

1Short title: The bill may be cited as the “Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act of 2025” or the “SEVER Act of 2025.”
2Primary change: It amends existing law (Section 407(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY 1990-1991) to add a new basis for denying entry to the United States—the fact that a person is subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876.
3Scope of the change (as written): The current amendment targets denial of visas for Representatives to the United Nations who are subject to those sanctions.
4Triggering authority: The sanctions referenced come from Executive Order 13876, which relates to Iran-related sanctions.
5Status in Congress: Introduced in the Senate on September 18, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee; not yet enacted.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Representatives to the United Nations (and potentially their staff or government delegations) who are subject to EO 13876 sanctions, as added by the amendment, would face visa denial preventing admission to the United States.Secondary group/area affected- Governments and UN member states whose UN representatives are under sanctions, potentially affecting attendance, diplomacy, and participation in UN meetings held in New York.Additional impacts- Diplomatic relations: Could affect US-UN diplomacy and intergovernmental interactions if sanctioned officials are barred from entry.- Policy alignment: Signals that U.S. sanctions policy can directly constrain who may participate in international forums in the United States.- Administrative considerations: Agencies issuing visas would need to verify sanctions status under EO 13876 and apply the denial accordingly, which could require new processes or guidance.- Legal considerations: Clarifications may be needed on how broad the “sanctions” trigger is beyond UN representatives, and how it interacts with due process or exceptions (if any are provided elsewhere in the bill).

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