Proposed Act Mandates Deportation, Visa Denial for Anyone Adhering to Sharia Law, Eliminating All Court Appeals

The newly introduced “Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act” (SEC. 1) is short, direct, and sets up a profound change to how the U.S. handles immigration for anyone who adheres to Sharia law. Simply put, if federal officials determine you follow Sharia law, you cannot get a visa, an immigration benefit, or be admitted into the country (SEC. 2).

The New Immigration Bar: Adherence to Sharia

This isn't about specific actions; it’s about adherence to a religious legal system. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Attorney General must deny entry or any immigration benefit if they find you adhere to Sharia law (SEC. 2). For people already here on a visa, green card, or other relief, the impact is even more immediate: if officials make that determination, they must revoke your status, and you become inadmissible or deportable. This means anyone currently navigating the U.S. immigration system—from students to tech workers to asylum seekers—could face immediate removal based on this determination.

Unchecked Power and the Judicial Blackout

Here’s where the rubber meets the road and the policy gets extremely concerning: The bill explicitly states that any determination made by these three top officials—State, DHS, or the Attorney General—is final. Crucially, it says that no matter what other laws say, you cannot challenge their decision in any court (SEC. 2). This means if an official decides you adhere to Sharia law and revokes your status, you have zero recourse to appeal that decision in front of a judge. For busy people, this is the policy equivalent of a boss firing you without explanation, and HR telling you the decision is final and non-negotiable—except here, the stakes are deportation.

The Vague Definition Problem

The entire framework rests on the phrase “adhere to Sharia law,” which is not defined anywhere in the bill. Sharia law is a vast, complex, and highly diverse system of religious guidance that is interpreted differently across sects and countries. For instance, for many Muslims, adhering to Sharia simply means following basic religious practices like praying five times a day, fasting during Ramadan, or adhering to dietary laws. Because the term is so vague, it gives federal officials immense, unchecked power to interpret it broadly, potentially targeting anyone who practices Islam in a way that aligns with basic religious tenets. The lack of clarity, combined with the lack of judicial review, creates a massive risk for arbitrary enforcement.

Penalties for False Statements

If you lie to any federal agency about whether you follow Sharia Law, you face the same severe consequences: your immigration benefit or visa will be taken away, and you will be deemed inadmissible or deportable (SEC. 2). While lying to the government is already illegal (18 U.S.C. § 1001), this provision specifically ties the lie about religious adherence directly to the immediate revocation of all immigration status. The practical implication is that people may feel pressured to deny their religious practices during interviews, knowing that an honest answer could lead to deportation and a lie could lead to the same result if discovered later.