First Muslim Civil Rights Bill Prevents Future Discriminatory Immigration Bans

Washington, DC — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) reintroduced the NO BAN Act, a bill that would prevent future presidents from enacting discriminatory immigration bans like Donald Trump’s Muslim and African Ban. The NO BAN Act is a landmark Muslim civil rights bill that was previously introduced last year by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. Chu. On July 22, 2020, the House of Representatives voted to pass the bill with a bipartisan majority. The measure was also recently included as part of the U.S. Citizenship Act, President Joe Biden’s immigration bill. The following is a statement from Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera on the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act:

“President Biden’s executive order ending the Muslim and African Ban was a necessary first step but as Muslims, Africans and other communities of color await their previously denied visas, they also live under the threat that a future president may revive this discriminatory ban. That is why Congress must pass the NO BAN Act, a historic Muslim civil rights bill that will close dangerous loopholes in our immigration laws and ensure that no future president can enact discriminatory immigration bans again. Thank you, Rep. Chu, Sen. Coons and so many allies who are working hard to ensure that our communities don’t have to experience again the trauma of being banned and separated from their families.”

Muslim Advocates worked with both congressional offices to help shape the legislation and led the NO BAN Act Coalition, an alliance of more than 100 faith, national security and civil rights organizations working to support it. Muslim Advocates also worked with Postmates and Airbnb as they led a coalition of more than a dozen leading corporations in support of the bill, helped lead efforts to get House Democrats to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill and collected the stories of people impacted by the ban.

In September 2019, Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera testified at the first ever congressional hearing on the Muslim Ban. Additionally, Muslim Advocates met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and led a coalition of civil rights leaders to urge the Speaker to ensure that the bill would receive a vote in the House.

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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.