FCNL welcomes a federal court’s decision to suspend President Trump’s executive order on refugees and immigration from six Muslim-majority countries.
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In a setback for the Trump administration’s revised executive order on immigrants and refugees, a federal judge in Hawaii ruled on March 15th that the executive order should remain on hold until it can be fully reviewed. In Maryland, another judge ruled to suspend a portion of the same order.
This executive order, which barred the entry of individuals from six Muslim-majority nations and suspended the entire refugee resettlement program, was presented to the American public as a more moderate version of a very similar executive order signed on January 27th. But FCNL Lobbyist for Human Rights and Civil Liberties Yasmine Taeb noted that this version, like its predecessor, is fundamentally unacceptable.
“Because it violates the principle of religious freedom laid out in the First Amendment of the Constitution, as well as our core values of compassion and welcome, we believe that this executive order should not remain in effect–and certainly not without further input from the courts,” Taeb said. “We are therefore heartened by these court decisions, which prevent the order from doing immediate harm to refugees, immigrants, and their families.”
“Even while the executive order remains on the books, every day of suspension represents a victory,” Taeb said. “It creates a window in which parents may be united with their sick children and families in the United States can attempt to secure life-saving medical care for their loved ones abroad. And it sustains the hope of American Muslims and allies that anti-Muslim discrimination will ultimately be eliminated from our immigration system for good.”
Grassroots activism played an undeniable role in this victory. For weeks after the January 27th executive order was signed, it prompted rallies and protests everywhere from the White House to the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, drawing seasoned activists, first-time protesters, and even a number of United States senators. In its decision against the original executive order, a federal court clearly took this public outcry into account, noting that it underscored the public’s interest “in free flow of travel, in avoiding separation of families, and in freedom from discrimination.” Despite the superficial changes made by the administration, the new version of the executive order was greeted with considerable protest as well.
“But even if this executive order is not currently in effect, we cannot stand back and wait for our judicial system to reach a final decision,” Taeb said. “Far too much is at stake.”
To ensure that our nation continues to welcome refugees and people of all faiths, no matter what the courts ultimately decide in this case, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA) and hundreds of other legislators have put forward legislation (S. 608 and H.R. 1503) to rescind this executive order. Members of Congress need to hear that their constituents care about this crucial legislation. As the current administration introduces rapid-fire changes to our immigration system, we must continue to push back against Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination wherever we see them.
Urge Congress to revoke the executive order on immigrants and refugees.
