To: Members of Congress
Donald Trump's de facto “Muslim Ban” executive order flies in the face of the American values we hold dear. It’s unlawful. It’s also hurting families, harming our economy, damaging our national security, and undermining the fundamental values of freedom of religion of our nation.
That's why we urge you to co-sponsor and pass The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Non-immigrants Act, S.1123 / H.R.2214 (“NO BAN Act”). The No Ban Act will:
Repeal all versions of the Muslim ban, the refugee ban, and the asylum ban. If passed, the No Ban Act would immediately rescind each iteration of the Muslim ban, including one that specifically targets refugees for extreme vetting. It also would immediately rescind a ban targeting asylum-seekers arriving at the border.
Change immigration law to prohibit discrimination based on religion. The bill would broaden the Immigration and Nationality Act’s (INA’s) nondiscrimination clause to specifically prohibit religion-based discrimination against any immigrant or nonimmigrant visa applicant. This would help ensure that future presidents would not be allowed to issue orders based so clearly on anti-Muslim bias or any other religion-based animus and that every visa applicant would receive individual consideration.
Limit executive authority to prevent any president from issuing future bans like the Muslim ban. As the Muslim ban so clearly illustrates, the current legal standard for allowing a president to ban people from entering the U.S. is dangerously overbroad, with little to no accountability or oversight. The No Ban Act would change the INA standard for all presidents and impose stricter requirements before any future ban could be issued, as well as reporting requirements to Congress to create an oversight mechanism once any future ban is in place.