In a bold defense of American values and constitutional law, Representative Chip Roy of Texas has introduced a bill that aims to keep our nation safe and free from foreign ideologies that threaten our way of life. The proposed law, called the “Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act,” would bar entry into the United States to any foreign national who follows Sharia law. It would also remove any such individuals already inside our borders.
This may sound strong, but it is necessary. The United States was built on the principles of liberty, justice, and equality under one Constitution. Our founding fathers created a legal system based on individual rights, limited government, and equal protection under the law. Sharia law, by contrast, is a set of religious rules that are deeply at odds with our Constitution. It treats women unequally, punishes people for their personal beliefs, and imposes harsh penalties for things we protect as free speech or religious freedom.
As Rep. Roy rightly points out, we don’t have to guess what happens when Sharia law spreads. We can look to parts of Europe, where the growth of Sharia-adherent communities has led to the creation of no-go zones, rising crime, and growing hostility toward Western values. In those areas, courts have even allowed Sharia-based decisions in family law matters, which undermines the rule of law. This should be a wake-up call for every American.
America is a nation of immigrants, but it is also a nation of laws. People come here from all over the world to live under the freedoms our Constitution protects. But with freedom comes responsibility. Immigrants must adopt the American legal system—not try to replace it. If someone wants to live in a country ruled by Sharia law, there are places in the world where that is already the case. But America is not one of them, and we cannot allow it to become one.
The bill makes clear that anyone who follows Sharia law will be denied visas, green cards, and other immigration benefits. If they are already here, they can be deported. And if they lie about their beliefs on government forms, they will be removed as well. This is not about targeting people for their religion. It is about protecting the American legal system from being replaced by a system that is incompatible with our Constitution.
Critics may say this law is unfair or discriminatory. But the Constitution is not a suicide pact. We have the right—and the duty—to decide who enters our country and under what conditions. Just as we bar people who are members of terrorist groups or foreign enemies, we can bar those who follow ideologies that threaten our republic.
Representative Roy is not alone in this effort. He is joined by a strong group of Republican lawmakers who understand the stakes. These leaders include Reps. Randy Fine of Florida, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Keith Self of Texas, Barry Moore of Alabama, Mary Miller of Illinois, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, and Andrew Clyde of Georgia. Together, they are standing up for the Constitution and for the safety of every American citizen.
Let us be clear: this is not about hatred. It is about preserving liberty. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but it does not grant the right to overthrow our legal system. If we want to keep America strong, free, and united under one law for all people, we must be willing to draw clear lines.
America is a beacon of hope because of its values—not in spite of them. We must defend those values if we want to pass them on to the next generation. Representative Roy’s bill deserves our full support. It is time we say with one voice: America stands for liberty, not Sharia.
