National Council of Asian Pacific Americans Denounces Muslim Ban 2.0 As Un-American

The Trump administration issued a new executive order banning Muslims today that claims to address the chaos and unconstitutionality of its original ban, but nevertheless continues to target Muslims, restricting travel from six predominantly Muslim nations, and refu­gees, with a 120-day suspension of the refugee program coupled with a drastically reduced number of refugees accepted into the United States.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously found that the government had no factual basis for the original Muslim ban, and this second executive order once again violates the U.S. Constitution. Today’s order also disregards two Department of Homeland Security memos that directly contradict any argument that these measures are necessary for our national security.

“President Trump continues to use hate, fear, and anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment to justify a new executive order that divides us and will not protect our country,” said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang. “This second Muslim ban continues to run counter to our basic values of inclusion and religious freedom, as well as our history of providing safe haven for refugees. We call upon the president to rescind this executive order and will continue to support efforts by fellow advocates to fight this Muslim ban in the courts and beyond.”

This ban--along with other discriminatory policies and bigoted rhetoric--also are contributing to a toxic environment and an alarming increase in incidents of hate against communities of color. Following the tragic shootings in Olathe, Kansas, targeting two Indian Americans, over the past week, an Indian American convenience store owner in South Carolina was found dead from gunshot wounds in front of his home, and a Sikh American man was shot in Kent, Washington after the gunman allegedly told him to “go back to your country.” The president must condemn these hate crimes and take responsibility to change his rhetoric and policies that are fostering this hate.

Several NCAPA members have the following Know Your Rights resources:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

National Korean American Service & Education Consortium

Additional responses from NCAPA members:

APALA Condemns Muslim Ban 2.0

APIAHF Condemns Executive Order

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Condemns Latest Executive Order As Muslim Ban 2.0

JACL Continues Opposition to Executive Orders on Immigration

NaFFAA Reproaches President Trump’s Latest Executive Order

NAKASEC Statement on New Muslim & Refugee Ban Executive Order

OCA Denounces Travel Ban 2.0

SABA and NAPABA Condemn Continued Attempt to Exclude Refugees and Implement a Muslim Ban

SALDEF Opposes New Executive Order

SEARAC Denounces Executive Order Blocking Refugees and Muslims, Attacking Nation's Values

South Asian Americans Leading Together Statement Condemning Muslim Ban 2.0

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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 34 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Our communities are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, currently making up approximately six percent of the population.