Chip Roy and Other Republicans Push Bill to Block and Deport Sharia Law-Adherent Aliens

In a bold escalation of the immigration debate, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and a cadre of House Republicans have introduced the “Preserving A Sharia-Free America Act,” a sweeping bill aimed at barring foreign nationals who adhere to Sharia law from entering the U.S. and deporting those already within its borders. Unveiled on October 8, 2025, the legislation frames Sharia—Islamic jurisprudence—as an “existential threat” to American values, drawing parallels to Europe’s cultural shifts and igniting a firestorm of controversy. As the nation grapples with President Trump’s mass deportation agenda, Roy’s measure positions itself as a “wakeup call,” urging swift action to safeguard the Constitution from what proponents call an “incompatible ideology.”

Roy, a staunch conservative running for Texas Attorney General, didn’t mince words in his press release. “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.” The bill’s core provisions are unyielding: It mandates the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Attorney General to deny visas, immigration benefits, or relief to any alien deemed a Sharia adherent. For those already in the country, it triggers immediate revocation of status, rendering them inadmissible or deportable, followed by removal proceedings. It also penalizes false statements about Sharia adherence under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, ensuring no loopholes for evasion.

Cosponsors—Reps. Randy Fine (R-FL), Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Keith Self (R-TX)—bolster the bill’s momentum, aligning it with Trump’s post-inauguration crackdown. Since January 2025, ICE has deported over 500,000 individuals, but Roy argues this targets the wrong threats. “Europe should be a wakeup call to America, showing what the spread of Sharia law looks like—the erosion of the West,” he asserted. Proponents cite incidents like Sharia councils in the UK resolving family disputes outside British law and reports of honor-based violence in Scandinavian immigrant enclaves as harbingers. “America’s immigration system must be fortified to counter the importation of Sharia adherents—the preservation of our constitutional republic and its people depend on it,” Roy added, echoing sentiments from Trump’s UN speech accusing London of courting “Sharia law.”

The bill has galvanized the GOP base. On X, #ShariaFreeAmerica trended with over 250,000 posts by October 15, featuring memes of Lady Justice swapping her scales for a crescent moon and testimonials from veterans decrying “cultural invasion.” Conservative outlets like Fox News and Breitbart hailed it as a “necessary shield,” with commentator Ben Shapiro tweeting, “Finally, Republicans drawing a line in the sand—before it’s sand in our courts.” Polls from Rasmussen Reports, released October 12, show 62% of Republicans supporting the measure, with 48% of independents viewing Sharia as a national security risk. Trump himself nodded approval during a Mar-a-Lago rally, quipping, “Chip’s bill? It’s huge—makes the border wall look like a picket fence.”

Critics, however, erupted in condemnation, branding it discriminatory overreach. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called it “blatant Islamophobia,” arguing it violates the First Amendment and targets a faith practiced by 3.5 million U.S. Muslims. “This isn’t about security; it’s about scapegoating,” CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad stated. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, decried it as “xenophobic fearmongering,” with Rep. Ilhan Omar tweeting, “Sharia is personal faith, not a plot—Roy’s bill is a dog whistle for hate.” ACLU attorneys warned of legal challenges, citing Supreme Court precedents like Trump v. Hawaii (2018), which upheld the travel ban but scrutinized religious animus. Protests erupted in Dearborn, Michigan—home to the largest Arab-American community—where over 5,000 rallied on October 13, chanting “No ban on belief!” Social media backlash under #IslamophobiaAct peaked with 180,000 posts, including viral videos of Muslim families sharing stories of integration.

The timing amplifies the stakes. Amid Trump’s “Operation Secure Borders,” which has ramped up ICE raids in sanctuary cities, the bill feeds into a narrative of cultural preservation. Roy, eyeing his AG bid, positions it as a Texas-first stand, referencing local cases like a 2024 Houston imam accused of counseling polygamy. Yet, implementation poses hurdles: Defining “Sharia adherence” risks subjective enforcement, potentially ensnaring moderate Muslims or even U.S. citizens via family ties. Legal experts predict court battles, with the Ninth Circuit—long a foe of Trump-era policies—poised to intervene.

As the House Judiciary Committee schedules a hearing for October 22, the bill embodies America’s deepening divide. For supporters, it’s a clarion call against erosion; for opponents, a descent into bigotry. In a nation where immigration fuels both growth and grievance, Roy’s push tests the limits of policy and prejudice. Will it pass the GOP-controlled House, or fizzle in the Senate? One thing’s clear: this “wakeup call” has America wide awake—and deeply divided.