A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced the Stop Transnational Repression Act of 2026, aiming to criminalize foreign governments' efforts to intimidate political opponents and activists in the US.

The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and Republican Senator John Curtis, expands the Justice Department and FBI's authority to investigate and prosecute transnational repression.Convicted individuals could face up to 10 years in prison and $100,000 fines.

The bill follows allegations that India targeted Sikh activists in North America, including charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta for plotting the assassination of a Sikh-American activist.India denies involvement and has launched an internal inquiry.

The legislation reflects growing US concerns about foreign interference and aligns with similar cases in Canada involving the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

This marks the first time transnational repression is classified as a specific federal crime in US law, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting dissenters from international intimidation.