NCAPA Denounces Trump’s Expansion of the Muslim Ban

Washington, D.C.— Today, the Trump Administration announced the expansion of the travel ban that originally sought to limit immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries. The U.S. will suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria and also stop issuing diversity visas to nationals of Sudan and Tanzania. In response, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans issued the following statement:

No matter how many countries the administration adds, it does not change the Islamophobic, anti-black, and anti-immigrant nature of its Muslim Ban. 

The expansion of the Muslim Ban marks another low for America and shows that the Trump Administration has no interest in stopping our current free-fall from the lofty ideals of being a land of freedom and promise for immigrants. Perhaps the Administration belives enough time has passed and people have forgotten, but it remains an unconscionable ban that has already torn apart thousands of families while normalizing hate against the Muslim American community.

Whether it’s detaining Iranian Americans at the border, or expanding this shameful policy, America’s promise has never been driven by shutting ourselves off from the world; rather it has been how we have opened ourselves up to diversity and welcomed engagement from people of all cultures.