US Congressman Barry Moore has introduced a controversial bill that would require immigrants entering the United States as religious workers to reject Sharia law and swear loyalty to the American Constitution.
The proposed legislation, known as the “CRUSADE Act,” was announced by Barry Moore in a statement posted on X on Wednesday.
The lawmaker argued that certain religious doctrines conflict with the constitutional principles of the United States.
According to Moore, the bill is targeted at individuals seeking entry into America under religious worker immigration programmes. He said such applicants must publicly disavow Sharia law before they can be admitted into the country.
“Sharia law justifies the persecution of religious minorities, restrictions on women, and the elevation of religious law above all. This is why I introduced the CRUSADE Act,” Moore wrote.
“Immigrants entering our nation as religious workers should disavow sharia and uphold the Constitution,” he added.
The proposal has already sparked heated debate across the United States, especially among civil rights advocates, immigration groups and religious organisations. Critics argue that the bill could face constitutional challenges because the US Constitution protects freedom of religion under the First Amendment.
Sharia law, derived from Islamic teachings and principles, is practised in different forms across several Muslim-majority nations and communities around the world. In Nigeria, some northern states operate Sharia legal systems alongside conventional courts.
The development comes amid increasing political pressure in the United States over issues linked to religious extremism, immigration and constitutional rights.
A congressional hearing tied to the growing “Sharia-Free America” movement has also intensified conversations around Islam and American law. Supporters of the movement insist that political Islam and Sharia principles are incompatible with the US Constitution and democratic values.
The debate has further drawn attention to Nigeria following recent concerns raised by some American lawmakers over religious violence and the treatment of Christians in parts of the country.
Earlier this year, the United States reviewed Nigeria’s compliance with International Religious Freedom standards after renewed allegations of attacks against Christian communities.
The initiative was championed by Riley Moore and Chris Smith, who jointly introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to pressure Nigerian authorities to address rising insecurity and religious persecution in parts of the country.
The lawmakers also proposed stronger security cooperation between both countries, including plans for a US-Nigeria security partnership aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities and tackling extremist networks.
Currently, at least 12 northern Nigerian states operate Sharia and anti-blasphemy laws.
American lawmakers backing the recent religious freedom push argued that such laws have allegedly been used against minorities and dissenting voices.
“Blasphemy laws in Nigeria’s northern states are used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called ‘convictions’ without due process,” the lawmakers stated.
The latest proposal from Barry Moore is expected to face strong scrutiny in Congress, especially from groups defending religious liberty and immigrant rights in the United States.
