New Travel Ban Targets Muslims and Violates Freedom of Religious Rights
March 6, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) condemns President Donald Trump’s new travel ban, stating it remains a ban on Muslims and violates freedom of religious rights by solely targeting Muslim-majority countries.
The new order removed Iraq from the list of countries but still targets Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen–six predominantly Muslim nations. The provision on refugees has also been changed. The indefinite ban on refugees from Syria was reduced to a 120-day ban, requiring review and renewal. Lawful permanent residents (people who have green cards) as well as people with current valid visas are exempt and not affected by the new order.
“Although this new travel ban is extremely watered down, it still targets Muslim-majority countries and therefore is still a Muslim ban,” stated LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. “As we continue to fight for immigration reform, we as Latinos understand what it feels like to be targeted. LULAC fights for civil rights and human rights and will defend any group being unfairly targeted by the new administration.”
“A week ago, President Trump openly admitted that the United States could prioritize the resettlement of Christian refugees over members of other religious groups,” stated Rocha. “Although the new order does not prioritize religious minorities when considering refugees, the new ban still predominantly targets Muslim nations. We must not allow the government to single out any group.”
The order will be phased in over the next two weeks and take effect on March 16. It comes about a month after federal judges blocked Mr. Trump’s indiscriminately executed January ban on residents from seven Middle Eastern and African countries. People whose visas were provisionally revoked as a result of the original travel ban on January 27th will still be able to travel to the United States.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.