Ending Ban will Reunite American Families, Help Battle COVID-19

Washington, DC — Last month, now-President-elect Joe Biden spoke at Muslim Advocates’ Muslims Making Change: National Honors event and said, “on day one I’ll end Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim Ban.” Recent news reports have also stated that Biden plans to end the Muslim Ban via executive action shortly after taking office. Muslim Advocates also worked with congressional offices to help shape the NO BAN Act (HR 2486) and led the NO BAN Act Coalition, an alliance of nearly 400 faith, national security and civil rights organizations working to support the bill. The following is a statement from Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera:

“The day that Joe Biden makes good on his promise to end the Muslim Ban, he will bring an end to an era of hate and heartbreak for Muslims. For nearly four years, the Muslim Ban has separated tens of thousands of families, banned countless doctors from serving in the U.S. and made anti-Muslim bigotry a core tenet of our nation’s immigration policy. 

Soon, a stroke of a pen could ensure that mothers trapped overseas will once again be able to hug their children and medical workers and researchers abroad will be able to come and fight our raging COVID-19 pandemic. This is a massive victory made possible by the American Muslims and allies who flocked to airports in 2016 and have been working nonstop to end the discriminatory Muslim Ban.

But first, Joe Biden must fulfill his promise to end the Muslim Ban ‘on day one.’ And even then, the threat of another president reviving the Muslim Ban lives on. That’s why Congress must pass the NO BAN Act and ensure that no president ever again can enact discriminatory religious or nationality bans.”

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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