FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2017
CONTACT: media@cwsglobal.org | 202-733-5151
CWS Decries Trump Administration’s Expanded Muslim Ban
Washington, D.C. – CWS today condemned the Trump administration’s continued attempt to marginalize Muslim communities through executive orders banning individuals from Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. On the same evening the prior Muslim ban was set to expire, Trump issued a new executive order placing travel and immigration restrictions on certain individuals from Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela, in addition to Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, and Somalia, which were restricted under the previous executive order. While this ban appears to not apply to refugees, there will be many refugee families and communities impacted. Adding new countries to the ban does not make it any less discriminatory or strengthen our national security.
“We opposed the previous two Muslim bans and our position has not changed.” said the Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS President and CEO. “This travel ban discriminates and endangers vulnerable populations and a major faith tradition under the guise of national security. Adding North Korea – from which only nine individuals immigrated to the United States last year; Chad – a Muslim-majority country; and Venezuela – which is dealing with much unrest right now – only makes this ban more troubling. We are hopeful that the courts will strike down this ban, as they have others before. In the meantime, as is our tradition, CWS will continue to welcome refugees and people from all religions and nationalities. We call on Congress and the Supreme Court to do everything in their power to rescind this misguided ban.”
Please click here to read CWS’s previous statements on the executive orders banning individuals from Muslim majority countries and all refugees.
Since 1946, Church World Service has supported refugees, immigrants and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty. Learn more about our work and join our global homebase for refugee solidarity at GreaterAs1.org.
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