In 2003 , Barrett introduced the Stop Terrorist Entry Program Act ( STEP ) . Barrett has announced he plans to update and reintroduce the act in 2010 . The STEP Act updates and amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar the admission of individuals from countries listed by the Department of State as State Sponsors of Terrorism . The STEP Act , as introduced in 2003 , would not only bar citizens from the list from ever entering the United States , but would also deport non-immigrant visa holders legally residing in the United States that are citizens of countries on the list . Though Barrett said that the updated STEP Act was in response to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and the failed bombing attempt on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 , Keith Olbermann said neither of the alleged perpetrators would have fallen under its restrictions . Alleged Flight 253 bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is a citizen of Nigeria , which is not listed as a state sponsor of terrorism , and Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan was born in Arlington , Virginia
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Gresham Barrett