SHOCKWAVE IN WASHINGTON: Congressman Chip Roy Drops “Sharia-Free America Act” — What Happens Next Will Shape the Nation

By Daniel Cross | November 14, 2025 | Capitol Hill

In a political moment already bursting with headlines, one Texas congressman just sparked a national debate that could change the shape of U.S. immigration law—and maybe even the way we define American identity.

Representative Chip Roy (R-TX), known for his sharp tongue, straight talk, and unshakable commitment to constitutional values, has introduced a bill that’s instantly become one of the most talked-about pieces of legislation in years: the “Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act.”

It’s as bold as it is controversial—and it’s sending ripples from state capitols to kitchen tables across the country.

A BILL BUILT FOR IMPACT

At first glance, the bill reads more like a political thunderbolt than a piece of standard legislation. Just a few pages long, it’s designed with simplicity in mind—but its implications are anything but.

In essence, the bill seeks to:

Bar entry to the United States for foreign nationals who advocate for or support Sharia law as a governing system.

Allow immigration authorities to revoke visas, green cards, or residency status from individuals found actively promoting or attempting to implement Sharia in ways that conflict with U.S. law.

Empower federal agencies to expedite removal proceedings for individuals who have pledged allegiance to foreign legal systems incompatible with constitutional protections.

Critics say the bill walks a fine legal line. Supporters say it draws one.

From the House floor, Roy was crystal clear:

“This is not about religion. This is about our rule of law. If you want to come to the United States and enjoy all the freedoms we offer, you’ve got to accept the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. Period.”

SUPPORTERS RALLY — FAST

If Roy intended to stir public interest, mission accomplished.

Within 48 hours of introduction, the bill had 47 Republican co-sponsors, including surprising names from purple districts that usually tread carefully when it comes to cultural issues.

Veterans’ groups praised the bill as a proactive defense of national integrity. Retired Lt. Col. Mark Delaney, speaking outside Roy’s office, said:

“We’ve seen in other parts of the world what happens when alternative legal systems start creeping into public life. It creates confusion, division, and ultimately, conflict. America needs one set of rules, one Constitution.”

Law enforcement associations also chimed in, saying the bill could help prevent the formation of isolated communities governed by foreign norms.

And then there’s the culture wave. A viral country anthem titled “One Flag, One Law” was posted by a chart-topping artist in Nashville, singing the bill’s praises from the back of a pickup truck. Conservative talk radio exploded with praise. Supporters launched #OneNationOneLaw billboards across Texas highways.

Donations to Roy’s campaign spiked to record highs.

THE BACKLASH: FIERCE AND IMMEDIATE

But the bill hasn’t just sparked celebration—it’s ignited fierce backlash from across the political and social spectrum.

Civil rights groups, including the ACLU and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), condemned the bill as a direct violation of religious liberty. They warned of a “slippery slope” where belief becomes grounds for legal action.

“This legislation would criminalize ideas, not actions,” said CAIR’s national legal director. “It turns thought policing into law.”

Progressive lawmakers held a press conference on the Capitol steps, calling the measure “a Trojan horse for cultural exclusion.” Several cited historical comparisons to immigration policies that targeted Catholics in the 1800s or Eastern Europeans during the Cold War.

College campuses saw waves of demonstrations under banners like “Faith Is Not a Threat” and “Freedom of Religion Means All Religions.” Professors penned op-eds in major newspapers arguing that the bill’s language was “overbroad” and could chill protected speech.

Even some conservatives voiced concern—not about the bill’s intention, but its execution.

“We all want to protect our values,” said a libertarian-leaning GOP member from Kentucky. “But there’s a right way to do it—and legislation that even hints at punishing thought is a dangerous precedent.”

POLITICAL MATH GETS MESSY

Despite the heated rhetoric, early polling shows the American public is far from united—but undeniably engaged.

A snap survey by Gallup found that 52% of registered voters support the idea of barring foreign nationals who advocate replacing U.S. law with Sharia. Among conservatives, that number jumped to 78%. Among progressives, it dropped to 21%. Independents were split almost evenly—48% in favor, 45% opposed.

Focus groups across swing states like Pennsylvania and Arizona revealed just how emotionally charged the issue has become.

A retired teacher in suburban Pittsburgh called the bill “a logical safeguard,” while a small business owner in Phoenix called it “a solution looking for a problem.”

BEHIND THE SCENES: STRATEGY IN MOTION

On Capitol Hill, Roy’s staff is moving fast.

Briefings with national security experts, immigration lawyers, and constitutional scholars are happening daily. Draft amendments are already circulating—adding clauses to clarify that the bill targets not private beliefs, but active advocacy to replace or subvert U.S. law.

Proposed revisions would also include:

A clear appeals process for those accused of violating the law

An annual public report to Congress detailing how many cases are pursued

Language reaffirming the constitutional right to private religious practice

Roy has appeared on multiple Sunday shows, defending the bill’s intent:

“This is about people who want to use a foreign legal system to override the Constitution. That’s not religious freedom—that’s legal warfare. And we’re not going to stand by and let it happen.”

THE WHITE HOUSE & THE SENATE: SILENCE, FOR NOW

The White House has thus far avoided taking a firm position. A press secretary issued a short statement praising “the importance of robust debate on immigration and national values,” but declined to support or oppose the bill outright.

Sources inside the administration suggest that national security advisors are reviewing classified data on transnational ideological threats, while political strategists weigh how the issue could impact 2026 midterms.

In the Senate, a companion bill is reportedly being drafted by a small group of GOP lawmakers. If introduced, it could trigger one of the year’s most intense debates.

WHERE THIS GOES NEXT

Experts say that if the bill passes the House, it will face a steeper climb in the Senate. But the bigger impact may not be legislative—it may be cultural.

“What Roy has done is force a national conversation,” said political analyst Lisa Donnelly. “He’s reframed the immigration debate through a lens of legal loyalty. And like it or not, that’s a powerful narrative.”

Indeed, Roy has spent the past week barnstorming town halls in red, blue, and purple states. Crowds have been enormous. Signs reading “One Law for All” now dot social media, shop windows, and bumper stickers.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

The Roy bill strikes at a timeless dilemma in American life: How do we remain open while staying secure?

Can a nation that champions religious liberty also draw red lines around legal ideologies that contradict its founding documents? Can a democracy safeguard itself from those who openly reject its principles—without sacrificing its soul?

“We’re not banning prayer,” Roy told a packed gymnasium in Tulsa. “We’re drawing the line at parallel legal systems that would erase everything this country stands for.”

FINAL WORD

Whether the “Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act” becomes law or not, its impact is already undeniable. It has rekindled a long-simmering debate over immigration, ideology, and what it means to be an American.

To some, it’s a defense of liberty. To others, a threat to inclusion.

But to all, it’s a reminder that the values we claim must eventually be confronted—defined, tested, and sometimes even defended.

In a Congress where gridlock is the norm, Chip Roy has forced the nation to pick a side.