Inhibiting Militant Adversarial Mullahs Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 19, 2026
Bottom line
This bill prohibits individuals with specific Islamic religious leadership titles from entering the U.S. on religious worker visas.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent individuals holding specific religious leadership titles, such as Imam, Shaykha, Mufti, or Ayatollah, from being admitted to the United States under the R-1 nonimmigrant visa category for religious workers. This directly restricts entry for certain foreign religious leaders based on their ecclesiastical titles.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is a critical national security measure designed to prevent the entry of individuals who may hold extremist ideologies or pose a threat to U.S. values and security, particularly those associated with militant adversarial groups. They contend that the R-1 visa category, intended for legitimate religious workers, could be exploited by individuals whose leadership roles might be linked to or influence radicalization.
Opponents contend
Opponents would likely argue that this bill constitutes religious discrimination, specifically targeting leaders of Islamic denominations, and violates principles of religious freedom and non-discrimination in immigration policy. They may contend that it unfairly broad-brushes entire religious leadership categories, hindering legitimate religious practice and exchange, and could be seen as an unconstitutional religious test.
The bill is exceptionally short and can be read and understood in under a minute, making it highly accessible for public review.
Section 2, page 1
Limitation on R Visas for Leaders of Certain Religious Denominations
This section amends Section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding a new subsection (s). It explicitly states that an alien cannot be admitted under section 101(a)(15)(R) (the R-1 religious worker visa) if they hold the title of Imam or grand imam, Shaykha, Mufti or grand mufti, or Ayatollah or grand ayatollah. This effectively bars individuals with these specific religious leadership titles from obtaining an R-1 visa to enter the United States.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue this provision is a targeted measure to enhance national security by preventing the entry of individuals who, by virtue of their specific religious leadership roles, may be associated with or promote extremist ideologies, thereby safeguarding the nation from potential threats.
Critics contend
Opponents contend that this provision is discriminatory and constitutes a religious test, violating constitutional principles and international human rights norms. They argue it unfairly targets specific religious leaders, particularly those within Islam, and could severely impede the ability of religious communities to practice their faith by restricting access to essential spiritual guidance.
Tradeoffs
The bill navigates the tension between national security concerns and religious freedom principles. It attempts to address perceived security risks by restricting entry for certain religious leaders, but in doing so, it raises questions about potential religious discrimination and the impact on religious communities' ability to freely exercise their faith.