Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act. Original cosponsors of the bill include representatives Randy Fine (R-FL), Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Keith Self (R-TX-). The bill currently has 19 cosponsors.
Sharia is the framework of Islamic ethical and legal principles derived from the teachings of the Quran and the practices of the Prophet Muhammad, who passed away nearly 1,400 years ago. Some Muslims around the world interpret Sharia as a means to rationalize a violent, ideological perspective.
Emphasizing the protection of our national security and values, the proposed legislation aims to bar all foreign nationals who practice Sharia from entering or staying in the United States.
In his press release, Roy said, “America is facing an existential threat - the spread of Sharia Law. From Texas to every state in the union, instances of Sharia Law adherents have threatened the American way of life, seeking to replace our legal system and Constitution with an incompatible ideology that diminishes the rights of women, children, and individuals of different faiths.
He asserted that Europe should serve as a warning for America, illustrating the implications of Sharia law's spread and the gradual decline of Western values. For him, it is essential to strengthen America's immigration policies to prevent the influx of those who adhere to Sharia, as the survival of our constitutional republic and its citizens relies on this action.
"The Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Attorney General, as applicable, shall deny any immigration benefit, visa, immigration relief, or admission to the United States to any alien who adheres to Sharia law," the proposed bill declares. "Any alien in the United States found to be an adherent of Sharia law by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, or Attorney General shall have any immigration benefit, immigration relief, or visa revoked, be considered inadmissible or deportable, and shall be removed from the United States."
Additionally, the proposed bill states, “Any alien who provides false statements under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 to the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, Attorney General, or any Federal agency, or in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, about the alien’s adherence to Sharia Law shall have the alien’s immigration benefit, immigration relief, or visa revoked, be considered inadmissible or deportable, and shall be removed from the United States.”
Veterans support legislation
American Family News spoke to two military veterans, familiar with Muslim countries governed by Sharia, who are in favor of the bill. Air Force Col. (Ret.) Rob Maness served in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and once lived in Morocco. The former bomber squadron commander and 30-year veteran of the military said he supports the proposed legislation due to the fact “Sharia is antithetical to the U.S. Constitution and basic American values like free speech and freedom of religion.”
He would also encourage the proposed bill to go a step further, advocating for “Sharia adherents (to be) banned from holding public office in the USA at any level.” For him, “The current Sharia-Marxism revolution in the United States is growing unabated and is an existential threat to our country.”
Having also served in the Middle East for many years, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Darin Gaub agreed, pointing out that "Sharia law is a legal system, not a religion, incompatible with the United States Constitution.” According to the former UH-60 Black Hawk pilot and battalion commander, “Adherents to this legal system come to the United States expecting to remain under Sharia law and believing they are part of overturning the American system of jurisprudence.”
