The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is calling on all Americans to urge their Members of Congress to support the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act Sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Sen. Chris Coons (DE).
This crucial legislation would prohibit any future administration, including the Trump administration, from imposing discriminatory travel bans that target individuals based on religion or national origin.
Introduced to ensure that immigration policies are based on fairness and not prejudice, the NO BAN Act strengthens legal protections against religious and racial discrimination in immigration decisions. The bill establishes necessary safeguards, including requiring justification based on credible evidence and consultation with Congress before imposing any restrictions on entry to the U.S.
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order directing government agencies to identify countries whose migration and security screening processes are deemed “deficient.” This order is a clear precursor to reinstating a Muslim Ban, echoing the discriminatory policy he implemented in 2017, which separated families, denied asylum to vulnerable populations, and fueled Islamophobia worldwide.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“The first Muslim Ban caused untold suffering, divided families, and violated our nation’s fundamental values of religious freedom and racial equality. As the Department of Homeland Security considers reimplementing a new ban on unspecified countries, the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act is a critical step toward ensuring that no president—now or in the future—can abuse executive power to enact blanket bans rooted in prejudice rather than security. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this vital legislation and stand against religious discrimination.”
The NO BAN Act would:
- Explicitly prohibit religious discrimination in visa and immigration decisions under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Ensure travel restrictions are based on credible facts and are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest.
- Mandate congressional oversight, requiring the executive branch to provide justification for any future travel restrictions.
Summary of the Bill HEREFull Text of the Bill HERE
Additionally, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Sen. Alex Padilla (CA) have reintroduced the Access to Counsel Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Chu. This bill ensures that individuals detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for over an hour at ports of entry—including airports—can consult with an attorney or advocate. This safeguard is critical in preventing abuses like those seen under the original Muslim Ban in 2017.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com