NILC Statement on House of Representatives’ Delay of Vote on NO BAN Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2020

CONTACT
Hayley Burgess, [email protected], 202-805-0375

NILC Statement on House of Representatives’ Delay of Vote on NO BAN Act

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives removed from its calendar a scheduled vote on the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act.

The legislation would immediately repeal prior versions of President Trump’s Muslim ban, including the most recent expanded ban that most heavily impacts Africans, one that specifically targets refugees, and one that targets asylum-seekers arriving at the border. It would also change immigration law to prohibit discrimination based on religion and limit the power of this administration or any future president to enact similar bans.

Avideh Moussavian, legislative director at the National Immigration Law Center, released the following statement:

“For over three years, this administration has demonstrated a reckless and cruel abuse of power by issuing bans that have targeted Muslims, Africans, refugees, and asylum-seekers for the sole purpose of shutting out communities of color and fulfilling Trump’s signature and racist campaign promise to shut out Muslims.

“This decision to delay repealing the ban in all of its iterations will further that harm, which is why it is crucial that House leadership continue to publicly commit to bringing the NO BAN Act to a vote immediately after the congressional recess. Although we are disheartened by the decision to delay the vote, we remain steadfast in our commitment to working with members of Congress to ensure that the NO BAN Act is passed in its current form, without any changes.

“The time to act is now.”

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