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Good News: 9th Circuit Upholds ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order Hold
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Dear community members and friends.
Earlier tonight, in the latest development on the “Muslim Ban,” a federal appeals court upheld last week’s injunction of President Trump’s Executive Order. This means that visa-holders from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen can continue to enter the U.S. and that refugee resettlement will continue for the time-being.
We expect that the Trump Administration will appeal this decision, which could still potentially reinstate the travel ban in the coming days.
The situation remains quite fluid and travelers stranded outside the U.S. should consider returning quickly. Additionally, CAIR-SFBA is still cautioning any individuals with passports from the seven 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.
While our resistance must continue, tonight’s ruling vindicates the voices of all those who protested the discrimination of this travel ban in the streets, airports, and courtrooms. CAIR-SFBA knows that the fight is far from over, but with your partnership we will continue to challenge the many assaults on our American values.
Sincerely,
Zahra Billoo, Esq.
Executive Director
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| Full Statement from CAIR on Tonight’s Ruling |
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CAIR Applauds Appeals Court’s Ruling Against Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight welcomed a federal appeals court’s decision to maintain the freeze on President Trump’s controversial “Muslim ban” executive order, which barred entry into the United States by refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit today upheld a lower court’s ruling putting Trump’s travel ban on hold.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We applaud this ruling as a reaffirmation of the strength and independence of our system of justice. This decision adds to the long list of federal judges – both Republican and Democratic appointees – who found reason to block this discriminatory order.
“While this decision is critical, it is not the end of the legal process. Other courts across the country will be passing judgment on this order, and the U.S. Supreme Court will likely weigh in at some point.
“This victory should not lead to complacency. This and other Trump administration orders and policies still pose a threat to communities of color, religious minorities, women, and others.”
Awad noted that CAIR has filed its own federal lawsuit on behalf of more than 20 named and “john doe” individuals challenging the constitutionality of the “Muslim ban” executive order.
CAIR is asking Americans to call on their members of Congress to oppose this unconstitutional executive order by making statements, by writing dear colleague letters and by pushing the Trump administration, State Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to oppose such discriminatory policies.
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| Emergency Info. Sessions on ‘Muslim Ban’ Continue |
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We continue to hear from countless community members who have concerns and questions about upcoming travel and the impact of the ‘Muslim Ban’. To address this, we are hosting and participating in a wave of emergency information sessions.
Thursday February 9 at 8:00PM
621 Masonic Way, Belmont
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA
Friday, February 10 at 6:00PM
5724 W. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA and Khalil Center
Friday, February 10 at 8:00PM
SABA Center
4415 Fortran Court, San Jose
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA, Asian Law Caucus,
and ING
Saturday, February 11 at 12:30PM
1059 Serpentine Lane, Pleasanton
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA
Saturday, February 11 at 2:00PM
1639 S. Main St., Milpitas
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA
Saturday, February 11 at 6:00PM
1005 7th Street, Oakland
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA and Asian Law Caucus
Sunday, February 12 at 2:00PM
6058 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA, and Shaikh Alaedin
Sunday, February 12 at 7:10PM
37500 Central Court, Newark
Featuring speakers from CAIR-SFBA
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Know Your Rights Reading Materials
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The ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order as signed on January 27 continues to be interpreted and reinterpreted as administration officials clarify ambiguities and lawsuits file across the country result in varying reprieves through court orders.
If you are a U.S. citizen, including dual nationals, legal permanent residents, or a visa holder from a country not on the on the seven-country list, you will be permitted to enter the United States. The risk of being pulled into secondary screening and facing questioning has always been a risk, and that has not changed. In order to adequately prepare for any such possibility, please review our general travel guide. |
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- Call (or email) your members of Congress and the U.S. Senate at 202.224.3121 to ask them to speak out against anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant bigotry and oppose these Executive Orders
- Sign a letter of support for S.B. 31, which is critical legislation needed to protect against the creation of a Muslim registry: http://bit.ly/civilrightsbills
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Sen. Harris Introduces New Bill on Right to Counsel
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Civil Rights Lawyer is Fighting Trump’s ‘Ban’
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The Access to Counsel Act has received support from nearly 40 leading organizations from the international, faith, Asian, Latino, Muslim, Jewish, and immigrant rights communities such as Amnesty International USA, Bet Tzedek, Church World Services, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Kids in Need of Defense, National Council of La Raza, National Immigrant Justice Center, South Asian Americans Leading Together, the Coaltion for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles, J Street, and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.
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On January 30, Billoo joined 14 other named plaintiffs in suing President Trump and other top government officials in a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Virginia. One of many legal challenges to the travel ban, the complaint called the executive order unconstitutional and requested injunctive relief. “Yes, this is my first time suing a sitting president,” Billoo told reporters.
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Texas Mosque Fire Ruled Arson
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Administration Targeting Muslims
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The absence of any hateful messages or graffiti at the scene of the fire leaves no proof of a hate crime, said Mustafaa Carroll , executive director of the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations . That could change once a suspect is identified and investigators are able to access online statements and browsing histories, Carroll said.
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Supporters of the terrorist organization designation also make the claim that the Council on American-Islamic Relations and several other major Muslim civic and advocacy groups are brotherhood front organizations. Those groups, as well as experts on the Islamist movement, say there is no evidence to support that claim. But both supporters and opponents of the terrorist designation believe it would be wielded in an effort to shut those groups down.
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Unapologetically American Muslim
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Fear of Attacks Outstrips Reality
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Do not back down from your conviction that you belong here, indelibly woven into the fabric of American society, whether you are seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time or whether your family ties go back farther than the first European foot placed on this continent we all call our own.
I, for one, am more proud than I have ever been in my life to call myself an American Muslim, and whether you detest me or honor me, don’t expect an apology.
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“You are more likely to be killed, and I don’t mean this jokingly … in an elevator accident or by a falling object or by lightning, than you are by terrorism. You are not going to die in a terrorist attack, if you are an American, with, on average, three exceptions every year,” Murphy said.
Trump’s executive order notes that his concern is about protecting Americans.
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Executive Committee
Spojmie Nasiri, Esq.
President
Abdelhamead Ibrahim
Adil Syed
Afshan Keval
Aliah Abdo, Esq.
Musaab Attaras
Staff
Zahra Billoo, Esq.
Executive Director
Amina Abid
Operations Manager
Brittney Rezaei, Esq.
Civil Rights Attorney
Sameena Usman
Government Relations Coordinator
Zoha Raza
Voter Engagement Coordiantor
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