CONYERS, KILDEE, DINGELL & LAWRENCE Statement On Trump's New Muslim/Refugee Ban

Members Stand United Against Divisive Efforts

Washington, DC -Today, President Trump issued a revised version of his original executive order drastically altering our refugee and visa system. In response, Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Dan Kildee (MI-5), Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) issued the following joint statement:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Some of the details of the executive order may have been repackaged, but the intent and effect remain the same.  President Trump has again ordered a Muslim ban that is inconsistent with our values and our Constitution. If the order is allowed to take effect, it will have disastrous consequences for American foreign policy, national security, and immigrant and American families.

“While express reference to religious minorities has been removed in this rewritten version, the order is clearly intended to target Muslims.  Some tweaks to the text cannot undo President Trump’s well publicized campaign promises to ban Muslims nor his damaging rhetoric, nor can it erase the fact that all six countries identified are majority Muslim countries.

“As we saw with the Administration’s first attempt to institute a ban, this policy will cause confusion, separate families, and prevent businesses, universities, and hospitals from bringing in essential personnel.  It also slams the door on the world’s most vulnerable people, shutting down the U.S. refugee program even though the program requires more extensive vetting than any other U.S. immigration channel. 

“Equally important, the revised order makes us less safe.  As with the prior order, the revised order diminishes our standing with allies and will likely serve as a recruiting tool for terrorist groups.  Indeed, two recently leaked DHS intelligence reports conclude that citizenship is a poor threat indicator and that few people from targeted countries have been involved in terrorism-related activities in the United States.

“This order is another short sighted and dangerous policy based on the inflammatory rhetoric that this Administration has made its cornerstone. We continue to stand united in our opposition to these efforts to divide us, and pledge to work together to reject intolerance, discrimination, and hate however and wherever we can – whether in our communities, in Congress, or in the Courts.”

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©