Since the inauguration, the returning Trump administration has asserted unilateral authority in ways that begin undoing the very foundations for the inclusive society we and our communities demand. Taken together, the flood of executive orders in recent days reject our collective aspirations towards equity, justice, and tolerance.  In their place, this administration aims to entrench white Christian nationalism and punitive retribution, all guaranteed by a radical consolidation of power in the President himself. It’s a sobering thing to witness as Muslim Advocates reaches its 20th Anniversary. Founded in 2005—in another moment of peril for Muslim and other targeted communities—our purpose is to use the law and policy to build power and defend our communities from systemic discrimination, in all of its forms.  

No doubt our mission is being tested now. President Trump has already attacked birthright citizenship in direct contravention of constitutional protections that have stood for over 150 years to address the legacies of slavery. He rescinded critical voting rights measures and invalidated efforts at diversity in government contracting and hiring—settings where the state has an incontrovertible history of discrimination. And he’s mounted a sweeping attack against immigrants by indefinitely suspending refugee admissions, closing the southern border to asylum seekers, and launching dragnet detentions and deportations that will tear apart families and communities nationwide.

Eight years ago, almost to the day, the prior Trump administration announced the first Muslim and African Bans. Only last year, Muslim Advocates and partners finally, and successfully, resolved landmark cases challenging those cruel policies. Disturbingly, President Trump has opened the door to revived and expanded Muslim and African bans, which will be devastating if they come to pass, but that Muslim Advocates and our allies stand ready to challenge.

Facing tests like these, as Muslim Advocates arrives at a milestone anniversary, leaves our organization with no choice: we can only redouble our resolve. Over the last two decades, we’ve committed ourselves to brave communities, partners, and allies working for fairness and dignity. We’ll continue to do so out of principle and a conviction that collective liberation is an essential part of securing everyone’s safety and opportunity to thrive.