WASHINGTON — For the first time since President Trump issued his Muslim ban, Congress proposed legislation today to protect Muslims and immigrant communities from discriminatory bans.
Under the NO Ban Act, the Muslim ban, asylum ban, and refugee ban would be immediately rescinded. It would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), raising the standard by which a president can invoke the authority to unilaterally ban or suspend entry, and strengthen legislative oversight of such actions. The bill would also prohibit discrimination against immigrants based upon religion.
Manar Waheed, senior legislative and advocacy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, had the following response:
“This president has continually claimed broad executive powers to target Muslims and other marginalized communities he deems unworthy. After a historic failure by the Supreme Court to curtail these discriminatory actions, our elected representatives are finally taking action, providing immediate relief to those impacted by President Trump’s bans and working to ensure the INA can never again be exploited for discriminatory intent.
“While no Congressional action can erase the pain inflicted on Muslim communities by the Muslim ban, Congress can put in place standards and checks and balances to prevent other communities from enduring that same pain in the future. Today, Muslims, refugees, and asylum-seekers rise together against these bans—and all future bans. We look forward to seeing Members step up and do the same.”
