USCIRF Urges President Trump to Nominate an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reiterates its recommendation that President Donald J. Trump swiftly nominate an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (IRF) and calls on the U.S. Congress to act promptly with the confirmation process.

“The role of Ambassador at Large for IRF plays a critical role in advancing freedom of religion or belief abroad," said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “It’s imperative for President Trump to put forward a nomination for this position for his administration to fully and effectively implement its stated commitment to IRF as a key component of U.S. foreign policy. Advancing religious freedom protects a fundamental human right that underpins a nation's security, economic prosperity, and stability, creating hope and opportunity for people across the world."

The U.S. Congress enshrined religious freedom as a key priority of U.S. foreign policy through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, or IRFA, which—in addition to creating USCIRF—established the Office of IRF at the State Department and required the presidential appointment of an Ambassador at Large to lead the work of that office. That senior role is also responsible for serving as the principal adviser to the U.S. President and Secretary of State on matters involving religious freedom abroad and representing the United States on IRF matters through diplomatic channels. Additionally, the Ambassador serves as an ex-officio member on USCIRF. As USCIRF noted in its 2026 Annual Report, Congress did not bring President Trump’s previous nomination in 2025 to a vote by the end of the year, thereby requiring a new nomination this year.

“President Trump has engaged in some important IRF policy decisions, including the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the expansion of visa restrictions against IRF violators and their families,” said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “However, the present lack of ambassadorial leadership on IRF matters prevents the U.S. government from fulfilling its potential in leading global efforts to advance this vital issue—a problem that can be solved through a swift nomination and confirmation process.”

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].  

China Codifies and Escalates Its Policy on the “Sinicization of Religion”

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on China:

China's Codification and Escalation of the "Sinicization of Religion" – The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under Xi Jinping’s rule has systematically intensified its restrictions of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) through a series of laws that it recently passed and promulgated, expanding its coercive “sinicization of religion” policy. This issue update highlights the systematic nature of China’s worsening repression of ethnoreligious minorities such as Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and others. 

In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State redesignate China as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]