AAI Statement in Support of House Passage of the NO BAN Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Arab American Institute (AAI) celebrates the passage of the NO BAN Act (H.R. 1333) in the U.S. House of Representatives today. The NO BAN Act seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in two key ways. First, it would outlaw discrimination in the entry of immigrants or nonimmigrants based on religion. Next, it limits presidential authority to suspend or restrict the entry of non-citizens to align with responsible uses of the power by prior administrations from both parties and the strict scrutiny judicial standard of government action.

AAI Executive Director Maya Berry made the following statement: 

“Passage of the NO BAN Act marks an important step of rebuking the institutionalized xenophobia of the Muslim Ban and putting in place safeguards to make sure that no future president can institute discriminatory immigrations bans like this again.  

AAI was proud to work in coalition with key partners and hundreds of other organizations over nearly four years to create, support, and advance legislation which would prevent unilateral discriminatory immigration bans by future presidents. 

The Muslim Ban had immeasurable harm on thousands of immigrants and their American family members, including Arab Americans. We welcomed President Biden’s repeal of the Muslim Ban on day one of his administration as he promised. Now, the U.S. Senate must pass the NO BAN Act and present it to President Biden, who has already committed to sign the important civil rights legislation into law.”