Two U.S. senators, Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), have introduced a bipartisan bill to explicitly prohibit any immigrants linked to Hamas or involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel from entering the United States.
The proposed legislation, titled the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, seeks to close potential loopholes by banning entry to individuals associated with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This includes representatives, officers, members, spokespersons, and anyone tied to the October 7 attack.
While current U.S. immigration law already bars individuals with terrorist ties from entering the country, the senators aim to strengthen these provisions by explicitly naming these groups in the law.
This legislative push comes amid rising concerns about national security and the risk of terrorists entering the U.S. The proposal has already faced opposition from some progressive lawmakers, including members of the “Squad,” who have criticized the bill’s focus and implications.
Supporters of the bill argue that it provides necessary safeguards to prevent potential threats to U.S. security. “We cannot allow individuals who support or have ties to organizations like Hamas to find refuge in our country,” Sen. Blackburn said.
The bill reflects growing bipartisan concern in Congress over security measures in the aftermath of the October 7 attack on Israel, which escalated tensions in the region and prompted increased scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies.