CAIR-NY Welcomes Federal Court’s Injunction of “Muslim Ban”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New York City, N.Y., 2/4/17) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the ruling by a federal judge in Seattle that orders a nationwide halt to enforcement of visa and refugee provisions of President Trump’s executive order barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations.

U.S. District Judge James Robart’s granted a request for a temporary restraining order “on a nationwide basis,” prohibiting federal employees from enforcing the so-called “Muslim ban” order.  

SEE: Judge in Seattle Halts Trump’s Immigration Order Nationwide; White House Vows Fight
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/federal-judge-in-seattle-halts-trumps-immigration-order/

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says it is reinstating visas and told U.S. airlines they could board travelers who had previously been barred by the executive order. 

SEE: Seattle Judge Blocks Trump Immigration Order; Government to Appeal
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-immigration-idUSKBN15I1CM
Airlines Told to Allow Previously Banned Travelers to US, After Judge's Order – Reports
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/03/trump-travel-ban-temporarily-blocked-nationwide

Because the Trump administration is vowing to appeal the ruling and the situation remains quite fluid, travelers stranded outside the U.S. may want to consider quickly rebooking their flights.  However, CAIR-NY is still cautioning any individuals with passports from the seven-affected countries against leaving the U.S., unless they also have a U.S. passport or green-card.  Such individuals should contact an attorney before making any international travel plans.

Video: CAIR Rep on MSNBC's 'All In with Chris Hayes' to Discuss Judge's Muslim Ban Ruling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1psLpEDAVks

"New Yorkers challenged the Muslim ban in the streets, at the airports, and in court,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher.  While we expect legal challenges to continue, this temporary halt on the ‘Muslim ban’ vindicates what our advocates have been saying: this ban is unconstitutional and unlawful,"

"Judge Robart proved once-again that we are, above all else, a nation of laws,” said CAIR-NY Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Cahn.  “As excited as we are by these developments, we know that this is just the first victory in a very long fight for the rights of Muslim Americans.”  ]

Muslim community members are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. 

CAIR es la organización Musulmana de libertades civiles más grande de los Estados Unidos. Su misión es proteger las libertades civiles, fortalecer a los Musulmanes Estadounidenses y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Cahn, 571-766-6273, acahn@cair.com 

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