Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act

The Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act would amend immigration law to establish a 25-year moratorium on immigration benefits for citizens and nationals of Somalia. If enacted, the bill would bar most new visas and immigration status for Somali nationals, with narrow exceptions for people already lawfully admitted to the United States before enactment, lawful permanent residents, and holders of certain diplomatic and international organization visas. The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, would be the only officials authorized to approve other exceptions.

The bill's sponsor and supporters argue the moratorium is necessary for national security and fiscal responsibility, citing concerns about identity-verification challenges in Somalia and alleged patterns of welfare program usage among Somali immigrant communities. The legislation is currently in the House Judiciary Committee and has not yet advanced. Most introduced bills do not pass into law.