about the muslim bans
The Muslim bans are a series of discriminatory executive orders and proclamations issued by the Trump administration. The first version was signed by President Trump on Jan. 27, 2017 and became immediately effective. Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”
Significant portions of the ban, as well as later versions of it, were immediately blocked by federal courts, which found each iteration to be blatantly anti-Muslim, unconstitutional, and an abuse of the president’s power. While significant sectors of the American public agree, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 opinion issued on June 26, 2018, unfortunately allowed the third iteration of the ban to remain in place permanently, pending further legal challenges. Because of the devastating impact of this decision, which is separating American families and endangering vulnerable populations, we continue to fight the Muslim bans in our courtrooms, Congress, and on the streets.
The Muslim ban is the culmination of a long assault on Muslim communities. The ban has a real impact on families and community members.
Additionally, the ban opens the door to other policies that discriminate on the basis of faith, immigration status, and national origin, in particular eliminating DACA and increasing deportations. That is why we stand in solidarity with other communities of color, Native communities, immigrants and refugees.
Expanding the ban:
In an interview on January 21, 2020, President Trump publicly confirmed that his administration is working on an expansion on the Muslim Ban.
Thought it’s not clear yet how many nations will be affected by his expansion of the travel plan, five of the countries on the draft list have either Muslim majorities or substantial Muslim minorities. In a statement released on 1/27/20, Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed:
Today, reports indicate that the Administration is once again preparing to expand its dangerous travel ban, threatening key international relationships and jeopardizing our ability to fight terrorism and extremism at home and abroad. President Trump and his Administration’s continued disdain for our nation’s national security and our founding ideals of liberty and justice dishonor our proud immigrant heritage and the diversity that strengthen and enriches our communities... House Democrats continue to stand opposed to President Trump’s cruel, un-American travel ban in all of its iterations. In the coming weeks, the House Judiciary Committee will mark up and bring to the Floor the NO BAN Act to prohibit religious discrimination in our immigration system and limit the President’s ability to impose such biased and bigoted restrictions. (Pelosi, 2020).
*Read Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s full statement here: https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/12720 .
about the no ban act:
On April 10, 2019, Democrats in Congress, led by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Sen. Chris Coons (DE) in the U.S. Senate, introduced the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (No Ban) Act, as companion bills H.R. 2214 and S. 1123.
If passed, the No Ban Act would:
Repeal all versions of the Muslim ban, including one that specifically targets refugees for extreme vetting.
Change immigration law to prohibit discrimination based on religion. The bill would broaden the Immigration and Nationality Act’s (INA’s) nondiscrimination clause to specifically prohibit religion-based discrimination against any immigrant or non-immigrant visa applicant.
Limit executive authority to prevent any president from issuing future bans like the Muslim ban.
How Can I help support the No Ban Act?
Regardless of whether whether the No Ban Act becomes law in this Congress, it is important to continue to fight for directly impacted communities and to ensure that the bill – and the fight to prevent the ongoing harms caused by the various forms of the Muslim ban – get as much support as possible. Visit repealtheban.org to sign a petition, and contact your representatives in Congress through www.govtrack.us/congress/members to ask them to support the House and Senate versions of the No Ban Act and bills that defund the implementation of the ban.
Additionally, we encourage our allies to build solidarity and raise their voices. Share your values and stories to help shift public narratives and consciousness.
Sources:
“FAQ: The No Ban Act.” National Immigration Law Center, 30 April, 2019, https://www.nilc.org/issues/immigration-enforcement/faq-the-no-ban-act/.
No Muslim Ban Ever, https://www.nomuslimbanever.com/.
“Pelosi Statement on Three Years Since Trump Announced Muslim Travel Ban.” Nancy Pelosi, 27, January, 2020, https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/12720.
“Understanding the Muslim Bans.” National Immigration Law Center, 8 March, 2019, https://www.nilc.org/issues/immigration-enforcement/understanding-the-muslim-bans/.