Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Progressive Caucus celebrated the passage of the NO BAN Act and Access to Counsel Act, priority legislation endorsed by the CPC to end President Trump’s xenophobic Muslim and African bans and ensure that individuals with legal status who are held for extended periods of time at U.S. points of entry have access to legal counsel.
“Of all President Trump’s senseless policies, his Muslim and African ban epitomize the bigotry, xenophobia, and plain cruelty of this Administration. These bans serve no purpose other than inflicting needless suffering,” said CPC Co-Chairs Congresswoman Jayapal (WA-07) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02). “For more than three years, these bans have separated loved ones, prevented students from conducting research and pursuing professional opportunities in the U.S., and fueled anti-Muslim harassment. Moreover, this discrimination has led to unjust, prolonged detentions in CBP custody. In some cases, people have been detained and deported with no due process. Since the enactment of these bans, the Progressive Caucus has fought to repeal them and ensure that individuals are protected from wrongful detentions at U.S. points of entry. We pledged to keep fighting for these families until they were reunited – and we’re pleased that today’s vote has brought us one step closer to that goal.”
“Over the last few years, the immigrant, Black, and Muslim communities have been the target of horrific hate, xenophobia, and Islamophobia,” continued Congresswoman Jayapal and Congressman Pocan. “This bill is not a panacea – there is far more work to be done to end the structural racism and anti-Muslim discrimination in this country. But the passage of this legislation today marks the first time, in American history, that Congress has voted to protect and affirm the civil rights of Muslims. We will keep fighting until this bill is signed into law and our nation’s founding promise of justice and liberty for all is made a reality.”
