The SEVER Act of 2025 authorizes the denial of U.S. entry visas to United Nations representatives subject to specific sanctions under Executive Order 13876 as of September 16, 2025.
Ted Cruz
Senator
TX
The SEVER Act of 2025 amends existing law to grant the U.S. government the authority to deny entry visas to individuals designated as representatives to the United Nations. This denial power is specifically triggered if the individual is subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876, as it stands on September 16, 2025. In essence, the bill strengthens visa enforcement by adding specific sanctions compliance as a mandatory ground for inadmissibility for UN representatives.
SEVER Act Expands Visa Denials for UN Diplomats Based on Existing Sanctions
The SEVER Act of 2025, or the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act, is looking to change the rules for who gets to step foot in the United States when they’re here on official United Nations business.
The New Gatekeeper Rule
Right now, the U.S. government already has reasons it can deny a visa to someone coming to the UN. This bill adds a new one: if that person is currently subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876 as that order exists on September 16, 2025, the U.S. can deny them entry. Think of it like adding a new, specific item to the list of reasons you might get flagged at the border, but this flag is exclusively for diplomats.
Who This Hits and Why It Matters
This isn't about tourists or even regular immigrants; this is strictly about foreign officials coming here to represent their countries at the UN, which is headquartered in New York City. The bill essentially expands the government’s ability to restrict diplomatic access. If a foreign representative is on the sanctions list tied to EO 13876—which deals with national security issues—they can be blocked from entering the U.S. to do their job. For the people on the ground, this means certain foreign officials might suddenly find their travel plans canceled, preventing them from participating in key UN meetings or negotiations.
The Diplomatic Friction Point
In the real world, this change creates a potential diplomatic headache. The U.S. hosts the UN, which comes with certain responsibilities regarding allowing delegates to attend. When the U.S. denies entry to a delegate, it’s not just a matter of immigration; it directly impacts the ability of that country to engage in multilateral diplomacy. Imagine trying to run a critical business meeting, but one of the key players can’t get into the building because the landlord changed the entry rules last minute. This provision leans heavily on existing executive authority—the sanctions—to enforce a new diplomatic restriction. While it gives the U.S. more leverage to keep sanctioned individuals out, it also risks creating friction and potentially hindering the work of the UN itself, which relies on the participation of all member states.