WASHINGTON, July 23, 2026. A Republican proposal to restrict most immigration benefits for Somali nationals for 25 years remains pending in the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas introduced H.R. 7359 on February 4, and Congress has taken no recorded action beyond its committee referral.
The measure has not passed the House or Senate and is not federal law. Its latest status confirms the bill remains before lawmakers, while separate Trump administration restrictions already limit visa issuance to Somali nationals.
Gill has linked his proposal to security concerns, welfare participation and major fraud prosecutions in Minnesota. Critics argue that the bill would impose a broad nationality-based penalty on applicants who have no connection to those cases.
Bill Would Block Most Immigration Benefits
The Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act would bar covered Somali citizens and nationals from receiving a visa or immigration status for 25 years after enactment. The legislative text creates exceptions for people previously admitted lawfully, lawful permanent residents, and holders of several diplomatic visas.
The bill would also deny Somali nationals withholding of removal. That protection generally prevents deportation when a person proves that returning to a country would threaten life or freedom because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
That provision would extend the proposal beyond people seeking new visas abroad. It could affect Somali nationals already facing removal proceedings in the United States.
Gill said the moratorium would protect taxpayers, improve national security and allow more time for integration. In the statement announcing his legislation, he said Somali immigration had weakened public trust and cited recent Minnesota fraud cases.
Existing Visa Restrictions Took Effect
The Trump administration already fully suspends immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance for most Somali nationals. The current visa suspension began on January 1 under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
The policy includes limited exceptions for lawful permanent residents, certain diplomats, some dual nationals, and qualifying U.S. government employees. Participants in designated major sporting events may also qualify, and officials can approve individual travel in the national interest.
Gill’s bill would place a fixed restriction in federal law instead of relying on presidential authority. A future president could revise an executive proclamation, but changing a statute generally requires further congressional action or a successful court challenge.
The legislation would not revoke U.S. citizenship or automatically cancel existing green cards. Its main effects would fall on future applicants and Somali nationals seeking immigration protections not covered by its exceptions.
Welfare Claim Has Narrower Meaning
Gill’s office has promoted a claim that 81% of Somali immigrant households use welfare. The figure comes from an analysis of American Community Survey data covering Minnesota households from 2014 through 2023.
The original household analysis counted a household when at least one member received a covered benefit. Those benefits included Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and direct cash assistance.
The analysis estimated that 73% of Somali immigrant-headed households included someone enrolled in Medicaid. It placed SNAP participation at 54% and cash assistance at 27%.
Those categories cannot be read as an individual nationwide rate. A household could enter the combined figure because one child received Medicaid, even when no adult received cash aid. Some children in immigrant-headed households are U.S. citizens by birth.
The survey estimate also does not measure fraud, willingness to work, or criminal conduct. Federal guidance notes that survey estimates require caution because sampling error and margins of error become more important when examining smaller population groups.
Fraud Prosecutions Shaped Debate
Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future case gave supporters of tighter controls a documented example of widespread fraud. Prosecutors proved that conspirators used fake meal counts, false attendance records and shell companies to divert federal child-nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A federal jury convicted nonprofit founder Aimee Bock and co-defendant Salim Said in March 2025. On May 22, 2026, a judge sentenced Bock to 500 months in prison, or more than 41 years, after finding she led the $250 million scheme.
The operation involved more than 250 meal sites and generated over $18 million in improper administrative fees. Prosecutors said participants submitted fabricated claims for meals that were never served and used proceeds for real estate, vehicles and travel.
Many defendants in the wider case were Somali American, but criminal responsibility rests with the people charged and convicted. Receiving Medicaid or food assistance under eligibility rules is not evidence of fraud.
Committee Action Is Still Pending
H.R. 7359 has four Republican co-sponsors: Mary Miller of Illinois, Randy Fine of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Clay Higgins of Louisiana. The committee has not scheduled a recorded markup or advanced the proposal to the House floor.
A committee hearing or vote would be the next formal step toward passage. Until that occurs, the 25-year moratorium remains a proposal, while the administration’s existing visa restrictions continue under the January proclamation.
