The NO BAN Act would restrict the president's power to ban foreign travelers by national origin or religion. Currently, the president can suspend entry of any group of foreigners deemed a security threat with minimal oversight, a power used for travel restrictions on predominantly Muslim countries. This bill requires the president to base any travel restrictions on specific, credible facts about security threats and to use the least restrictive approach possible. The bill also strengthens nondiscrimination protections in immigration law by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on national origin or religion for nonimmigrant visas and other entry categories. Before implementing any entry suspension, the president must notify Congress and provide evidence within 48 hours; if Congress isn't properly briefed, the restriction automatically ends. Additionally, the bill requires the State Department to report every 30 days on any active restrictions and to publish detailed statistics about visa applications, approvals, and denials related to past proclamations. The legislation would also allow individuals harmed by violations to sue in federal court for relief.
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