New Civil Rights Bill Would End Muslim Ban and Religious Discrimination in Immigration

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera spoke at press conference at the U.S. Capitol announcing the introduction of the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act (“NO BAN Act”), a landmark civil rights bill that would end the Muslim Ban and prevent faith-based discrimination in immigration.

“Today, mothers and fathers are separated from their children. Grandparents are separated from their grandchildren. And the sick are unable to get the medical treatment they desperately need. All because of President Trump’s Muslim Ban,” Khera said. “The administration wants you to believe that the fight against the Muslim Ban has quieted down. But it is very much alive. Thousands–tens of thousands–of American Muslims and their families are still cruelly separated from one another and countless Americans still are standing up against religious discrimination in all its forms.”

The NO BAN Act will end the Muslim Ban and amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, ensuring that no president will ever again be able to ban an entire community without accountability.

The NO BAN Act was introduced by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA). The bill’s original co-sponsors include Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), as well as Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Andre Carson (D-IN), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). The bill also boasts the support of close to 400 civil rights, faith, national security and community organizations including the NAACP, UnidosUS and Human Rights Campaign; faith denominations like the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Union for Reform Judaism; and impacted American Muslim communities.

Farhana Khera is available for interviews about the NO BAN Act. If you would like to schedule an interview with her, please contact [email protected] or call (202) 670-9560.

Additional resources:

• Click here to read the letter from 384 organizations.
• Click here for over 100 Muslim Ban impact stories.

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination.

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