Supreme Court Upholds Muslim Ban, Strengthens “Invisible Wall”

CONTACTS:
George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 gtzamaras@aila.org	Belle Woods 202-507-7675 bwoods@aila.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, June 26, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Supreme Court upheld the third, reengineered version of President Trump's travel ban by a vote of 5 to 4. Anastasia Tonello, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued the following statement:

"From the very beginning of President Trump's term in office, the Administration has worked to implement onerous and unnecessary blockades to the entry of foreign nationals to the United States. The President's ban on travel from several Muslim-majority countries is another brick in the invisible wall which does nothing to strengthen our national security, or our nation's shared prosperity.

"Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is deeply troubling. By dismissing the anti-Muslim statements of President Trump and other administration officials when evaluating the legality of the ban, the decision endorses a discriminatory policy motivated by religious animosity. Allowing discrimination to emanate from our nation's highest office undermines the Constitution and our values as a nation. With today's decision, this ban, which isn't necessary and does nothing to improve the safety of Americans, will continue to keep families apart, negatively impact U.S. businesses, and degrade our reputation in the world as a beacon of hope and opportunity.

"Though we are deeply disappointed by this decision, AILA and our vast network of immigration attorneys maintain our steadfast commitment to justice. We will continue to fight for the rights of immigrants and work to ensure that fairness, due process, and the free exercise of religion and expression are reflected in our nation's immigration laws and policies."

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 18062637.