Congresswoman Tenney, Senator Cruz Reintroduce Bill to Block Entry of Iranian Regime Officials into the United States

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act (SEVER Act) alongside Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). This legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) and Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL). This legislation would ban the entry of Iranian leaders and other senior officials tied to the Iranian regime from entering the United States.

The SEVER Act builds on Executive Order 13876, issued by President Donald Trump in 2019, which imposed sanctions on the Iranian Supreme Leader and senior regime officials for their role in sponsoring terrorism, advancing Iran's ballistic missile program, and committing egregious human rights abuses. This bill builds on those sanctions by prohibiting their entry to the United States to attend the United Nations, ensuring that individuals sanctioned under the order are categorically denied entry into the United States.

"The Iranian regime and the corrupt officials who run it are responsible for the murder, injury, and kidnapping of thousands of Americans, said Senator Cruz. The Ayatollah means it when he chants 'Death to America,' and the United States has developed and imposed sanctions to counter the threats posed by him and those directly around him. If you are a crony of the Ayatollah who has been sanctioned by the U.S., it means that you pose a threat to the safety and security of Americans, and you should not be allowed on American soil - let alone to engage in diplomacy at the United Nations General Assembly. I strongly urge my colleagues to advance this legislation and swiftly pass it through both chambers so it can be signed into law."

"For decades, the Iranian regime has oppressed its own people, sponsored terrorism worldwide, and threatened the safety of Americans and our allies," said Congresswoman Tenney. "President Masoud Pezeshkian, like his predecessors, is part of a regime that funds terrorism, destabilizes the Middle East, brutalizes the Iranian people, and has actively targeted Americans. No government official that is part of this despotic regime should ever be permitted to set foot on American soil to spread propaganda or legitimize tyranny. The SEVER Act will give President Trump the authority to ensure the United States is never a platform for terrorists and tyrants that threaten American citizens. This is about protecting our citizens and reaffirming the America First policies advanced by President Trump."

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