HR 2204119th CongressIn Committee

To require an institution of higher education that becomes aware that a student having nonimmigrant status under subparagraph (F)(i) or (J) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) has endorsed or supported a foreign terrorist organization to notify the SEVIS, and for other purposes.

Introduced: Mar 18, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would require colleges and universities in the United States to report any J-1 exchange visitors or F-1 student visa holders to the SEVIS system if they become aware that the student has endorsed or supported a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). If the government determines the student participated in or endorsed such activity, the Secretary of State would revoke the student’s visa, and the Secretary of Homeland Security would pursue removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill defines key terms (foreign terrorist organization, institution of higher education, SEVIS) and ties the reporting obligation to existing visa designation processes. In short, the bill creates a mandatory, fast-tracked reporting channel for potential FTO-related activity by nonimmigrant students and links it to visa revocation and removal actions, with the primary enforcement lever resting with federal agencies (State and DHS) rather than the educational institution itself.

Key Points

1An institution of higher education must immediately report to SEVIS if a J-1 or F-1 student has participated in or endorsed a foreign terrorist organization.
2If the Secretary of State determines such participation is established, that student’s visa must be revoked.
3Following visa revocation, the Secretary of Homeland Security must initiate removal proceedings against the student under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
4The bill defines relevant terms: “foreign terrorist organization” (per INA section 219), “institution of higher education” (per IIRIRA 641), and “SEVIS” (the DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).
5The bill does not specify new penalties for institutions beyond triggering the visa/demoval process; the enforcement mechanism centers on visa revocation and removal for the nonimmigrant student.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Nonimmigrant students in F-1 and J-1 status who are alleged to have endorsed or supported a foreign terrorist organization.- U.S. higher education institutions that issue SEVIS records and monitor student activities.Secondary group/area affected- U.S. Department of State (visa adjudication and revocation) and Department of Homeland Security (removal proceedings and enforcement).- SEVIS system as the central reporting/administrative mechanism.Additional impacts- Potential chilling effect on international students and campus life, and possible concerns about due process, data accuracy, and how “endorsement or support” is established.- Administrative and compliance costs for colleges and universities to monitor, document, and report suspected FTO-related activity.- Possible implications for international student recruitment and campus climate, depending on implementation and interpretation of “participated in activity in support of” or “endorsement.”- The bill appears to be primarily a mechanism to facilitate rapid visa revocation and removal for a subset of cases, rather than creating broader immigration-reform provisions for institutions.

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