FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2020
CONTACT
Manisha Sunil, West End Strategy Team
msunil@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-417-0171
Interfaith Alliance Celebrates House Passage of Historic ‘NO BAN’ Act, Urges Senate Support
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the NO BAN Act (H.R. 2214) which would reverse the Trump administration’s travel ban by ending bans on immigration from majority Muslim and African countries and establishing vital protections against future discriminatory restrictions. In response, Katy Joseph, director of policy & advocacy for Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Today, the House took a historic stand for the rights of Muslim Americans and our national commitment to religious freedom. The president’s travel bans have caused immeasurable harm to families stranded across borders, deprived our institutions of brilliant students and researchers, and garnered our nation a reputation for exclusion and discrimination.
Banning travelers based on their faith or national origin is antithetical to our founding principles. The NO BAN Act is an essential measure to rescind this administration’s bans and amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to prohibit future discrimination on the basis of religion.
“In 2017, Americans of all faiths and backgrounds joined together to welcome those stranded by the president’s first Muslim Ban. As courts weighed in and new bans were released, interfaith communities never stopped fighting for justice. This vote is a tremendous victory for thousands of families and individuals impacted by these policies and a credit to the tireless work of committed advocates on the frontlines of the fight against state-sponsored bigotry.
“As we celebrate today’s victory in the House, we also recognize there is significant work to be done. Each day that discriminatory policies remain in place, bigotry goes unchecked and lives are negatively impacted. We urge the Senate to defend religious freedom for those of all faiths and none and support the NO BAN Act.”
If you would like to speak further with Katy Joseph, please contact Manisha Sunil at msunil@westendstrategy.com or (202) 417-0171.
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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.