Global Respect Act of 2025

Increased Accountability for Human Rights Abuses: The bill requires the President to identify and list foreign persons responsible for conduct like torture, illegal detention, or abduction targeting LGBTQI individuals (Section 4(a)(2)). This creates a mechanism to hold those responsible accountable.

Prevention of Entry for Human Rights Violators: Individuals identified on the required list are declared ineligible for visas and admission to the United States (Section 5(a)). This prevents those responsible for abuses from entering the country.

Removal of Violators Currently in the U.S.: The Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security are tasked with revoking visas and removing individuals on the list from the United States (Section 5(b)).

Enhanced Tracking of Global Discrimination: The bill requires the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor to designate officers to track violence, criminalization, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms faced by LGBTQI individuals (Section 8(a)).

Improved Reporting on Human Rights Practices: By amending existing laws, the bill ensures that annual country reports include information regarding violence or discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics (Section 8(b)).

Potential for National Security Exceptions: The President has the authority to include individuals on a classified list rather than a public one if it is deemed vital to national security (Section 4(d)(2)).

Discretionary Implementation of Sanctions: The President has the power to waive the visa ineligibility and removal requirements if it is in the national security interests of the United States or necessary to comply with international obligations (Section 5(c)).