Bottom Line Up Front
H.R. 5495 / S. 2893, the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act (SEVER) Act, bars entry to the United States — including for purposes of United Nations representation — for Iranian regime officials sanctioned under Executive Order 13876, which targets the Supreme Leader’s inner circle and his office. The bill closes a persistent visa gap by codifying into law what current sanctions policy implies but does not explicitly require: that those designated under EO 13876 are ineligible to set foot on U.S. soil, including at UN venues in New York.
Bill Information
| Bill Number |
H.R. 5495 |
| Bill Name |
Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act (SEVER) Act |
| Summary |
Bars entry to the United States, including for UN representation, for Iranian regime officials sanctioned under Executive Order 13876, which targets the Supreme Leader’s inner circle. |
| Chamber |
Bicameral |
| Lead Sponsor |
Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) |
| Original Cosponsors |
Rep. Andrew Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) |
| Date Introduced |
09/18/2025 |
| Companion Bill |
S. 2893 |
| Companion Lead Sponsor |
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) |
| Companion Original Cosponsors |
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) |
Read the full legislative text and view the list of cosponsors for the House and Senate versions.
FDD Action Expert Analysis
“The Supreme Leader’s lieutenants shouldn’t get U.S. visas while they bankroll terror and repression. SEVER makes that common sense the law. This bill aligns our visa policy with our sanctions—no exceptions, including for UN junkets.”
Nick Stewart
Managing Director of Advocacy, FDD Action
Why It Matters
- Iranian regime officials sanctioned under Executive Order 13876 have been able to exploit UN gatherings in New York as a platform despite their designations. The SEVER Act codifies the denial of visas for these individuals, ensuring U.S. soil is not accessible to sanctioned members of the Supreme Leader’s inner circle under any pretext.
- Executive Order 13876 targets the Office of the Supreme Leader and his key lieutenants, yet U.S. visa policy has not automatically reflected those designations. This bill closes that gap by making denial of admission a legal requirement — not a discretionary outcome — for EO 13876 designees.
- Sanctions lose credibility when those designated can still travel freely to the United States. The SEVER Act signals that U.S. sanctions carry real, enforceable consequences — regime insiders who bankroll terror and repression cannot enter U.S. territory.
- The bill focuses narrowly on individuals already designated under EO 13876 — officials tied directly to the Supreme Leader’s Office — rather than ordinary Iranian citizens. This ensures maximum pressure on the regime’s decision-makers while maintaining a clear and principled legal standard.
Congressional Press Releases
Read statements from members of Congress who are supporting this legislation:
About FDD Action
FDD Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that works directly with policymakers to advocate for a robust U.S. foreign policy — one that strengthens U.S. national security, does damage to America’s adversaries, and supports allies and partners. FDD Action serves as a trusted resource for congressional offices and executive branch policymakers navigating complex national security challenges, leveraging a team with decades of experience on Capitol Hill and in the policy arena.
Learn more about FDD Action’s mission and work here.