In a decision released earlier today, U.S. federal Judge Derrick Watson ruled to issue a temporary restraining order on President Trump’s second "Muslim ban.” The executive order would have banned travel for individuals from six Muslim-majority countries and halted the country's refugee resettlement program. Trump's March 6th executive order, a revised version of an earlier executive order, barred all citizens of Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days, and all refugees from entering for 120 days - even if they had already been vetted and cleared to come to the United States. This is the second time that an attempt by the Trump Administration to issue a religiously discriminatory travel ban has been found legally flawed and been suspended by the courts.
The following is a statement from Steven Choi, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition:
“Today's ruling by Judge Derrick Watson reaffirms what we knew all along - that a “revised” Muslim ban, is still a Muslim ban. Trump’s second attempt at a 'backdoor Muslim ban' was no better than the first - it was simply a mask for the same hatred, fear and incompetence. Despite the moral outrage, sheer incompetence and serious legal concerns surrounding the first executive order, Trump chose to double down on this bigoted piece of public policy. But today he learned - again - that he is not above the law."
“This ruling is a victory for immigrant and refugee communities across the country, including the more than 700,000 refugees who have successfully resettled in this country over the past fifteen years and who have contributed immensely to America. This decision allows the United States to continue to live up to its values of welcoming refugees and immigrants, while maintaining our already “extreme” vetting process for travelers from these countries.”
“Although we have prevailed in the courts again - we know our work is far from over. While the Administration continues to fumble and fail in their attempt to discriminate against Muslims, we will press on and fight to permanently lift all of President Trump’s illegal, incompetent and immoral executive orders for the sake of all our communities.”
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The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State that work with immigrants and refugees. The NYIC aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all by promoting immigrants’ full civic participation, fostering their leadership, and providing a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York’s diverse immigrant communities.