“The fight must continue.”

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Johnathan Smith, legal director of Muslim Advocates, regarding last night’s ruling by U.S. Judge Derrick Watson. Johnathan’s full biography is available here. For booking, please contact Scott Simpson at [email protected] or Nicky Vogt at [email protected].

“Over the past six months, the U.S. courts have provided a necessary check on President Trump’s overreaching and unwieldy power grab, and Judge Watson’s ruling serves as the latest example. In expanding the definition of a “bona fide” relationship, the courts, once again, found that the President far exceeded his authority in the implementation of this bigoted and discriminatory executive order.

In his decision, Judge Watson described the Administration’s criteria for “bona fide” familial relationships as “the antithesis of common sense… Common sense, for instance, dictates that close family members be defined to include grandparents. Indeed, grandparents are the epitome of close family members.”  

We couldn’t agree more, and we’re thankful for the families who will be now be reunited.

Earlier this week, the United States reached the unjust 50,000 refugee resettlement cap set by the Trump administration, effectively barring any refugees without a “bona fide” relationship from entering the United States. Judge Watson’s ruling that a resettlement agency meets the “bona fide” relationship criteria opens our country’s doors to many of the refugees in dire need of a safe haven.

While we applaud this ruling, the fight must continue. President Trump’s discriminatory ban is still harming refugees and American families. This administration has shown a clear and consistent commitment to isolating and stigmatizing the Muslim community.  As such, Muslim Advocates remains dutifully committed to doing all we can to protect the rights of all to live free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.”

Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.

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