February 5, 2025
Issue: Muslim Ban
Rep. Chu & Sen. Coons Reintroduce the NO BAN Act to Prevent Discriminatory Travel Bans
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-CT) reintroduced the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, a bill that would close loopholes in immigration law to prevent presidents from enacting another Muslim or African Ban or similar, discriminatory bans. Muslim Advocates has worked with members of Congress to support the bill and the No Muslim Ban Ever coalition, an alliance of over 100 diverse civic, civil rights, faith and community organizations.
The bill would create much needed limitations and accountability for any president intent on categorically banning refugees, asylum seekers, or people of specified nationalities from entering the United States. It would also extend to religion the nondiscrimination provisions that immigration law already covers on the basis of race, sex, and nationality. Banning people because of their faith or country of birth goes against core American ideals of equality and freedom. This is a critical bill at an even more important moment in our history.
“As President Trump fulfills his racist campaign promises by banning refugees, attempting to block asylum, and preparing new bans on people visiting from African, Muslim-majority, or other countries, we welcome the timely introduction of an essential policy rooted in the highest American aspirations of equality, religious freedom, and refuge from tyrannical leaders,” said Sumayyah Waheed, Senior Policy Counsel, Muslim Advocates. “With the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act, we hope to check discriminatory and cruel abuses of presidential power at our borders. We remember clearly the hate, chaos, and family separation resulting from President Trump’s first-term Muslim and African bans – effects that remain unresolved to this day. Meanwhile, people seeking safety at our borders are forced to face unlawful, dehumanizing, debilitating, and even lethal barriers to doing so. We thank Rep. Chu and Sen. Coons for their leadership and urge Members in both houses to swiftly pass this bill.”
Trump signaled plans for a new travel ban to be issued next month. Help us resist his hateful, white nationalist, anti-immigrant agenda. Tell Congress to pass the NO BAN Act