CAIR-NY Says U.S. Supreme Court's Decision on Trump’s Muslim Ban Ignores Impact on Citizens and Their Relatives Abroad
For Immediate Release
(NEW YORK, N.Y. 12/4/17) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed alarm at the Supreme Court's decision to allow Muslim Ban 3.0 to be implemented until the Supreme Court makes a final decision about the executive action's constitutionality.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court issued two orders staying the Hawaii and Maryland federal courts' injunctions which had, until today, largely prevented the Trump Administration from implementing Muslim Ban 3.0's visa restrictions. Although this decision allows Muslim Ban 3.0 to go into effect now, the Supreme Court could still find it unconstitutional at a later date.
"This decision is nothing less than a dereliction of duty from our nation’s highest court," said CAIR-NY Legal Director Albert Fox Cahn. "The Supreme Court's actions remind us that we can't simply rely on the justices to stop President Trump's marginalization of Muslims and other minorities. The fight is far from over, and we must all do everything we can to oppose Muslim Ban 3.0."
CAIR and the Brennan Center for Justice filed suit against President Trump's Muslim Ban on behalf of six American Muslims impacted by the immigration restrictions. On appeal, this case, Zakzok v. Trump, was consolidated with two others and are jointly pending before the Fourth Circuit. Oral argument in the Fourth Circuit is set for this Friday, December 8th, in Richmond, VA.
Video: CAIR, Other Civil Rights Groups Hold Presser After Md. Court Arguments on Trump’s Muslim Ban
In a broad ruling on October 18th, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang granted CAIR and other groups' request for a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing its latest attempt to exclude Muslims from the United States.
Judge Chuang ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to ultimately succeed in proving that anti-Muslim animus motivated the travel ban in violation of the Establishment Clause. He also noted that the ban violates federal law, which forbids the government from discriminating against visa applicants based on their nationality.
SEE: Second Judge Rules Against Latest Travel Ban, Saying Trump’s Own Words Show It Was Aimed at Muslims
In September, CAIR -- with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and Profeta & Eisenstein -- filed an amicus brief with U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of seven American Muslims.
READ Amicus Brief
These groups also filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit in August.
Read CAIR’s Amicus Brief
In January, just days after Trump signed the first Muslim ban executive order, CAIR filed suit.
SEE: CAIR Files Federal Suit Challenging Constitutionality of Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.