New Trump "Muslim ban" order issued

Trump reissues “Muslim ban”

President Trump signed an executive order on Monday blocking citizens of six predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.

The order was revised to avoid the tumult and protests that engulfed the nation after Mr. Trump signed his first immigration directive on Jan. 27. That order was promptly blocked by a federal appeals court.

The new order continued to impose a 90-day ban on travelers from the 6 countries, but it removed Iraq, a redaction requested by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who feared it would hamper coordination to defeat the Islamic State, according to administration officials.

As opposed to the first order, this order exempts permanent residents and current visa holders, and drops language offering preferential status to persecuted religious minorities, a provision widely interpreted as favoring Christians over Muslims. In addition, it reversed an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria, replacing it with a 120-day freeze that requires review and renewal.

We here at ILG are very saddened by this discriminatory targeting of Muslims. We remain hopeful that the federal courts will protect the country from injustice and discrimination.