Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act; SEVER Act
Summary
The "Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act" (SEVER Act) aims to deny entry visas to individuals subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876, which pertains to sanctions related to Iran. The bill amends Section 407(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991, to include those sanctioned under Executive Order 13876 in the list of individuals ineligible for admission to the United States.
This proposed law focuses on reinforcing existing sanctions by restricting physical access to the US for sanctioned individuals. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 18, 2025.
Expected Effects
The SEVER Act, if enacted, would broaden the scope of visa denials to include individuals sanctioned under Executive Order 13876 concerning Iran. This would likely result in a more stringent enforcement of existing sanctions by preventing sanctioned individuals from entering the United States.
This could impact international relations and potentially affect individuals' ability to conduct business or personal travel within the U.S.
Potential Benefits
- Reinforces existing sanctions against Iran by restricting travel.
- Potentially strengthens national security by preventing sanctioned individuals from entering the U.S.
- May deter sanctioned individuals from engaging in activities that led to the sanctions.
- Could be seen as a strong stance against activities that prompted the Executive Order 13876.
- Aligns with the executive branch's foreign policy objectives regarding Iran.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May complicate diplomatic relations with countries where sanctioned individuals reside.
- Could be perceived as an overly aggressive measure, potentially leading to retaliatory actions.
- May hinder legitimate business or personal travel for individuals mistakenly sanctioned.
- Could face legal challenges based on due process or other constitutional grounds.
- May not be effective if sanctioned individuals can circumvent the restrictions through other means.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the federal government's power to regulate immigration and foreign relations, as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. However, the specific application and enforcement of the sanctions could raise due process concerns under the Fifth Amendment if individuals are denied entry without adequate notice or opportunity to be heard.
Furthermore, the delegation of authority to the executive branch to impose sanctions, as referenced by Executive Order 13876, must be consistent with constitutional limits on the delegation of legislative power. The bill itself does not appear to violate any specific constitutional provision on its face, but its implementation could be subject to constitutional scrutiny.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).