By Ebere Inyama
( Owerri – Imo state) Following the introduction of a bill by U.S. Senator Ted Budd seeking to ban foreignviolators of religious freedom from obtaining U.S. visas, concerned Nigerians have reacted.
Senator Budd introduced the ‘Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act’ to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by restricting the issuance of visas to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.
“On National Religious Freedom Day, I am proud to introduce the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act. It is entirely unacceptable for the U.S., a nation founded on religious freedom, to welcome anyone responsible for the persecution of religious groups”, Budd wrote via x on 16 January, 2026.
Earlier in September, 2025, Senator Ted Budd led his Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling on the Trump administration to re – designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
Nigerians react
Reacting in a post via X, a former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, said the United States of America should not be blamed for taking such a step against violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria but expressed fears that innocent Nigerians will also be affected by the legislation”.
“In the latest US Visa restrictions, Nigeria and Nigerians are affected and South Africans are exempted despite all their attacks on Trump and the imperialist sycophancy of some of our people”, Sani wrote in the post.
“The US shouldn’t be blamed. Those who dragged us here are those who think that by campaigning against their country they would be spared, insulated, rewarded or adopted. Nigerians studying, living, working or just visiting the US have become victims caught up in this”, Sani added.
Speaking during an interview with TruthNigeria a student of History and International relations at Imo state University, Miss Veronica Udeh welcomed the bill introduced by Budd.
“The legislation to ban foreignviolators of Religious Freedom from obtaining U.S. Visas is long overdue bearing in mind that thousands of people have been killed in Nigeria by Islamic extremists in recent times”, Udeh said.
“ All the religious groups in Nigeria, especially Christians, should be happy about the steps being taken by the United States government to stop these religious fanatics from killing more innocent people”, she added.
7 U.S senators back Budd’s bill
The bill introduced by Budd was co – sponsored by 7 other Senators, including Marsha Blackburn, representing Tennessee in the U.S. Senate; Senator Ashley Moody(R) , representing Florida and Tom Cotton (R), representing Arkansas. Others are Jim Banks (R), representing Indiana; John Kennedy (R), representing Louisiana; James Lankford(R), representing Oklahoma and Ted Cruz, representing Texas.
The bill would additionally amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to expand visa ineligibility to terrorist or non-state actors and foreign government officials responsible for violations of religious freedom and persecution of religious groups.
“Any foreign official that is involved in the persecution of Christians in Nigeria or anywhere else has no business setting foot in the United States,” said Senator Cotton.
“Religious freedom is a God-given right, and our nation should never open its doors to those who persecute people of faith.,” said Senator Lankford.
“I am proud to support the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act which prevents religious terrorists and oppressors of Christians and other religious minorities from ever entering our great nation,” said Senator Moody.
“I’m proud to help Senator Budd introduce the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act to protect our country from those who don’t respect our First Amendment freedoms,” said Senator Kennedy.
“The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar visas for individuals who have directed, supported, or carried out violations of religious freedom, said Senator Blackburn.
“Individuals who encourage or facilitate religious persecution, such as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria or in China pose a threat to the safety and security of Americans and should not be allowed on American soil. I am proud to join Senator Budd in introducing this bill.” said Ted Cruz.
Background
Earlier on December 3, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the U.S. Department of State to restrict visa issuance to individuals who have committed violations of religious freedom.
While this decision came in response to reports of violence against religious minorities in Nigeria, the policy implemented by the Trump administration could apply to any foreign individual who is directly responsible for or involved with severe violations of religious persecution.
The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026 introduced by Budd codifies the efforts made by Secretary Rubio to send a clear message to perpetrators of religious freedom around the globe that they are inadmissible to the United States.
Ebere Inyama reports for TruthNigeria on conflict.
