Congresswoman Tenney Introduces SEVER Act to Keep Dangerous Iran Regime Officials Out of US

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today introduced the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act, or SEVER Act, to ban Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials associated with the Iranian Supreme Leader from entering the United States. This comes in advance of Raisi’s arrival for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Ted Cruz (TX) and cosponsored

by Senators Tom Cotton (AR), Bill Hagerty (TN), Joni Ernst (IA), John Barrasso (WY), and Marco Rubio (FL).
Amid ongoing talks to restore the failed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Biden administration is planning to circumvent restrictions that would bar Raisi from entering the U.S. because of mass atrocities he has committed and terrorist activities that he has directed. Raisi has also advocated for the assassination of several U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“Iranian President Raisi has a troubling history of terrorist activity and human rights abuses,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “He has advocated for the assassination of American leaders, such as President Trump, and he clearly poses a threat to our national security. Ensuring he stays off U.S. soil should be a no-brainer for anyone tasked with protecting the American people.”

Specifically, the SEVER Act builds on Executive Order (E.O.) 13876 from former President Trump to ban sanctioned Iranian officials from entering the United States.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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