Rep. Steube and Sen. Cotton Introduce No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) have introduced the No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act, legislation to revoke visas from close family members of terrorists and close loopholes to prevent them from obtaining visas in the future.

"Terrorists and their families should not be allowed to take advantage of our immigration system and live comfortably in the United States," said Rep. Greg Steube. "If you are related to someone who has committed acts of terrorism against Americans, you should not be welcomed into our country. The No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act puts Americans' safety first and closes this dangerous loophole."

"Relatives of terrorists have no business being in our country. My bill would revoke visas from family members of terrorists to keep Americans safer," said Senator Tom Cotton.

"America must never be a safe haven for the families of terrorists who seek to exploit our immigration system while promoting anti-American and antisemitic extremism. I am proud to support the No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act which closes dangerous loopholes that have allowed relatives of designated terrorists to legally reside in the United States such as those tied to the Islamic Regime of Iran and Hamas," said Chairwoman Elise Stefanik.

In addition to Sen. Cotton and Chairwoman Stefanik, this legislation is also co-sponsored by Reps. Byron Donalds, Wesley Hunt, and Barry Moore.

The No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act would revoke existing visas from terrorists' close family members and prohibit them from obtaining future visas. This legislation would create a permanent ground of inadmissibility preventing spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of designated terrorists from receiving visas or immigrating to the United States.

The legislation also requires the Secretary of State to revoke any existing visa held by a covered family member within 30 days after determining that the family member is inadmissible. By closing this loophole, the No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act ensures terrorists' close family members cannot use America's immigration system to gain entry into or remain in the United States.

Background: Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani's niece and grandniece, known for spreading anti-American and pro-terror propaganda, were allowed to legally reside in the United States on visas for years.

Current U.S. immigration law does not automatically prohibit close family members of designated terrorists from obtaining tourist, student, or work visas. Therefore, relatives of individuals responsible for terrorism against the United States and its allies have been able to enter and remain in the country.

Read the bill text here.