Civil Rights Groups Disappointed in Supreme Court Decision on Muslim Ban, Vow to Continue Advocacy
Far-Reaching SCOTUS Decision Extends Harm to Muslim and Refugee Communities
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, the Supreme Court allowed Trump’s unconstitutional and discriminatory Muslim Ban 3.0 to take effect while the litigation against the bans moves forward. This reversed two orders from district courts, which largely halted the Ban while it made its way through the courts. Like previous versions of the Muslim Ban, it blocked nationals of many Muslim-majority countries from coming to the U.S. Targeted countries include Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, and Somalia.
In response, Elica Vafaie from Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Zahra Billoo from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Karen Tumlin from the National Immigration Law Center released the following statements:
Elica Vafaie, Staff Attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice:
“We are disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to allow this unlawful, unconstitutional, and discriminatory policy to go forward that divides our nation and assaults our national identity. This ban goes hand in hand with other executive orders and policies the administration has pushed forward that attack immigrant communities and communities of color. We will stand up with all communities of color, immigrants, and refugees.”
Zahra Billoo, CAIR Representative:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision was another critical moment for our identity as a nation. Years from now we will look back on this decision and others striking down the Trump Muslim Bans as huge losses for our fundamental American values and constitutional protections. This happens in a week where immigrants rights advocates are fighting for DACA and leaders across the country are challenging the GOP Tax Bill. We understand these issues to be connected – all of them advance the Trump administration’s white supremacist agenda. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure there is #NoMuslimBanEver.”
Karen Tumlin, legal director of the National Immigration Law Center:
“This decision is a blow to anyone who took a stand against President Trump’s hateful Muslim ban. Mountains of evidence, shown to federal courts time and time again, make clear that this administration had a discriminatory intent behind each iteration of the ban. That’s why we will continue to fight, in the courts and with communities, until there is no Muslim ban ever.”
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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.
The #NoMuslimBanEver campaign is organized by a coalition of national and local civil rights and Muslim advocacy groups who are leading efforts around the country to fight against President Trump’s latest unconstitutional Muslim Ban, as well as other discriminatory immigration policies that criminalize and negatively impact American Muslim communities and immigrants across the country.