For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 18th 2017
Press Contact: press@nyic.org
*Press Statement*
New York Immigration Coalition Rallies in D.C. Against Muslim Ban 3.0
Washington D.C.– Today, the New York Immigration Coalition, alongside Linda Sarsour and the Women’s March, rallied near the White House to protest President Donald Trump’s revised Muslim and refugee ban. Hundreds of people from across New York State joined with the ACLU, Indivisible, MoveOn.org and other organizations from across the country to declare #NoMuslimBanEver.
Trump’s third iteration of his travel ban– which would’ve seriously limited travel and emigration from Muslim-majority countries Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, as well as, North Korea and some Venezuelan government officials– was supposed to take effect today, October 18th. However, two federal judges issued temporary halts to the ban, with the second judge issuing a 91-page ruling calling the ban an “inextricable re-animation of the twice-enjoined Muslim ban.”
“Every version of a Muslim Ban is an overreaching attempt by the Trump administration to discriminate against those who do not pray the same way or speak the same language. This is not about public safety or national security but about pushing Trump’s anti-immigrant, islamophobic, and white supremacist agenda,” said Murad Awawdeh, vice president of advocacy of the New York Immigration Coalition, “Those rallying in protest are holding up signs saying, ‘immigrants are welcome here’ because we are fighting for the principles that truly make this country great: opportunity and justice for all.”
"The MinKwon Center is proud to be joining dozens of other local, state and national organizations in marching on Washington D.C. to denounce the implementation of the latest iteration of Trump's Muslim Ban. Despite the administration's effort to re-package the order, its discriminatory and bigoted intent is clear. This is a defining and dark path that our country has gone down before in times of anti-Chinese, anti-Japanese and anti-Muslim hysteria. This unconstitutional travel ban is another insult by this president to our country's ideals of tolerance, acceptance and diversity," said James Hong, co-director of the MinKwon Center for Community Action.
“The Muslim ban 3.0 is yet another example of this administration's divisive policy approach that is destroying our country rather than "making it great"! Such action goes contrary to America's founding principle: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…’ Chhaya is honored to join partner organizations in the rally towards No. Muslim. Ban. Ever. It is up to all of us to ensure immigrants to this country are not forced to live separately from their families, and have the opportunity to lead productive and meaningful lives,” said Annetta Seecharran, executive director of Chhaya Community Development Corporation.
“As an organization who serves the larger Arab immigrant population in New York, AAANY stands against the implementation of Muslim Ban 3.0. Folks in our communities are living with increased anxiety because their families are being torn apart. We cannot allow this administration to window dress this new version of the Ban by adding Venezuela and North Korea to the list. We won't allow our communities to be intimidated by this administration, that's why we are mobilizing members of the community for the action. We are turning out over 100 people from AAANY to show the Trump administration that our community will not remain silent and will continue to say no to the Muslim Ban,” said Rama Issa-Ibrahim, executive director of the Arab Association of New York.
"The Arab-American Family Support Center is proud to stand with new immigrants and refugees. We believe this mobilization is instrumental and essential in addressing the xenophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry behind the Muslim Ban 3.0. Immigrants and refugees are welcome here,” said Rawaa Nancy Albilal, president and chief executive officer of the Arab-American Family Support Center.
“African Services Committee is mobilizing its members because this issue is not about one community. It's about all of our communities and the need to mobilize a strong presence of New Yorkers in Washington D.C. reaffirms our commitment to fighting any unjust policy affecting directly or indirectly any community,” said Bakary Tandia, policy advocate of African Services Committee
Legal Analysis
The proclamation outlining Muslim Ban 3.0 to nationals from Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Somalia, and Iraq would have applied to those:
Who are outside of the US on Sept. 24, 2017 at 3:30PM and were subject to the second executive order and don’t have the bona fide relationships required by the Supreme Court decision. Included relationships: parent, parent-in-law, spouse, fiancé, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling (whether whole, half, or step), grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Who do not have a valid visa at 12:01AM EDT on October 18, 2017 as follows: Nationals from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia - even if they have a credible bona fide relationship with anyone/any entity in the US; Nationals from Chad, North Korea, Venezuela. Who did not have a prior visa that was canceled or revoked as a result of the January 27, 2017 Executive Order. This proclamation did not apply to:
Green card holders; Anyone who is allowed to enter the US on or after October 18, 2017. Anyone who has a document allowing them to enter the US other than a visa (e.g. transportation letter, boarding foil, advance parole) that is valid on or after October 18, 2017. Any dual national of a country listed in this proclamation if they are traveling on a passport issued by a non-listed country. Anyone with a diplomat visa (including NATO visa, C2 for travel to the UN, G1 - G4). Anyone already granted asylum by the US, who has already been admitted as a refugee, or who has been granted withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under the Convention Against Torture. Affected individuals could’ve asked for a waiver of these restrictions if they can show to the consular officer or Customs and Border Patrol official that (guidance to be developed):
Denying them entry would cause the individual undue hardship; AND Their entry would not cause national security or public safety threat to the US; AND Their entry would be in the national interest.
Chad
No national from Chad could’ve obtained a green card, or a tourist/business visitor visa. They could’ve still obtained other visas including student, training, exchange visitors, for artists/performers/athletes etc.
Iran
No national from Iran could’ve obtained a green card or any kind of visa. Exception: student visas (F for students, M for vocational studies) or exchange visitor (J visa - for internships, training, au pairs, etc) but would’ve been subject to increased scrutiny.
Libya
No national from Libya could’ve obtained a green card, or a tourist/business visitor visa. They could’ve still obtained other visas including student, training, exchange visitors, for artists/performers/athletes etc.
North Korea
No national from North Korea would’ve been allowed into the United States.
Syria
No national from Syria would’ve been allowed into the United States.
Venezuela No government official in vetting/screening procedures and their immediate family members could’ve obtained a tourist/business visitor visa. They could’ve still obtained other visas including green cards, student, training, exchange visitors, for artists/performers/athletes, etc. Other Venezuelan visa holders would’ve been subject to additional measures to make sure travel information remains current. Yemen
No national from Yemen could’ve obtained a green card, or a tourist/business visitor visa. They could’ve still obtained other visas including student, training, exchange visitors, for artists/performers/athletes etc. Somalia
No national from Somalia could’ve obtained a green card. Any other visa application, including tourist/business visitor visa, student visas, exchange visitor visas, visas for artists/performers/athletes etc. would’ve been subject to additional scrutiny regarding potential ties to terrorism.
Iraq
No restrictions on travel but subject to higher scrutiny. No green cards or visas were revoked. The holder of any visa that was revoked or canceled as part of the original executive order of January 27, 2017 would’ve been given a new visa to enter the US in the same category.
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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. We envision a New York state that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, & allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York's diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people's lives, and to strengthen our state. In response to the enactment of Trump’s first Muslim ban, The New York Immigration Coalition led the #NoBanJFK movement, assisting travelers from over 20 countries and organizing hundreds of lawyers and volunteers. The protests at JFK sparked actions across the nation, including a rally held in Battery Park the next day, which drew over 30,000 people. In July, the NYIC was back out at JFK to monitor the situation and provide legal assistance as necessary.