Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Johnathan Smith, legal director of Muslim Advocates, regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily allow the administration to bar 24,000 refugees from entrance into the United States. Johnathan’s full biography is available here. For booking, please contact Scott Simpson at [email protected] or Nicky Vogt at [email protected].

“Last night, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed, at least temporarily, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ sensible decision to uphold our country’s values and to, once again, open our borders to refugees in need.  Because of the Supreme Court’s decision thousands of refugees needlessly remain in great danger.

In the original appeals court ruling, the judges found that, due to the government’s narrow interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling, ‘Refugees remain in vulnerable limbo’ and are ‘gravely imperiled.’ Last night’s decision, unfortunately, further endangers this already extremely vulnerable population.

It is important to note that this ruling is not a final decision. In a few weeks, the Supreme Court will consider the legality of President Trump’s travel and refugee bans.  Courts all across this country have acknowledged the administration’s overreach, and we hope that in the final analysis, the Supreme Court will do the same and will find the travel and refugee bans unlawful.

While the administration continues its futile attempts to divide us, let this temporary decision unite us in a common goal: to uphold America’s longstanding history as a welcoming nation for all.”

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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