Trump Administration Attempts to Sanitize an Unconstitutional & Discriminatory Policy
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, the Trump Administration announced it would revamp its discriminatory Muslim and refugee ban to possibly include more targeted, tougher restrictions that would affect a larger number of countries before the current 90-day ban ends on Sunday. If this occurs, it would be a failed attempt by the Trump Administration to sanitize a discriminatory policy before it is reviewed by the Supreme Court on October 10th.
In response to the news Elica Vafaie from Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Zahra Billoo from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Avideh Moussavian from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) released the following statements:
Elica Vafaie, Staff Attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice:
“Again and again, courts across the country have found Trump’s first two Muslim Bans to be assaults on our national identity, a threat to our most fundamental constitutional protections, and an overreach of the president’s authority. We are confident they will find more of the same with variations of the ban that the administration may push out.”
Zahra Billoo, CAIR Representative:
“The Trump Administration’s proposed new ‘targeted restrictions’ continue to constitute targeted discrimination. No matter what form they take or how many times Trump issues new Muslim Bans, they still target people based on religion and attempt to keep them out. The courts have spoken. The Muslim Ban is unconstitutional and discriminates against people based on their religion, regardless of this new iteration.
“We encourage travelers to know their rights and to reach out to our organizations if they have questions or experience any harassment or delays at airports.”
Avideh Moussavian, Senior Policy Attorney, National Immigration Law Center:
“The Trump administration’s announcement of future revisions to the Muslim ban doesn’t change the fact that it was discriminatory from the beginning. What was true yesterday remains true today: the Muslim Ban has already inflicted damage upon countless communities across this country and around the world. We’ll continue to fight together against attempts to divide, criminalize, and persecute our communities.” ”
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of five leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all. The affiliation’s members are: Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), Advancing Justice – AAJC (Washington, D.C.), Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, Advancing Justice – Atlanta, and Advancing Justice – Chicago.
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.
The National Immigration Law Center is exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their families. Our mission is grounded in the belief that every American—and aspiring American—should have the opportunity to fulfill their full potential regardless of where they were born or how much money they have. Using our deep expertise in a wide range of issues that affect low-income immigrants’ lives, we work with communities in courtrooms and legislatures to help advance policies that create a more just and equitable society for everyone.