Trump’s Discriminatory New Travel Ban Imperils Multi-Faith Democracy and Religious Freedom

Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in upholding multi-faith democracy and civil rights for all Americans, denounced President Trump’s deeply discriminatory new travel ban – which will ban the citizens of twelve countries from visiting the US, and impose heightened restrictions on an additional 7 countries. 

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:

“The new ban primarily targets Muslim-majority countries from the Middle East and North Africa, and clearly echoes the unconstitutional Muslim ban from the first Trump Administration, which was later repealed by President Biden. It is an act of cruel collective religious punishment on a global scale, and will terribly impact millions of people around the world as well as so many American citizens, residents and their families. By primarily targeting Muslims and people of color, it sends a message of  discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity, undermining our nation’s status as a multi-faith democracy where all religions and communities are entitled to equal rights. 

“While President Trump shamefully cites the recent horrific antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado as part of his justification for issuing this ban, the truth is that this mass ban on millions of people will do nothing to make our Jewish neighbors safer. This is about xenophobia and pandering to the president’s anti-immigrant base - not about national security or fighting antisemitism. Indeed, Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ CEO Amy Spitalnick has made clear: ‘Not only does this ban fail to make us safer, it actually increases risks for all communities by normalizing the xenophobia and prejudices informing our governmental policies.’

“During the first Trump administration’s Muslim ban, Interfaith Alliance proudly mobilized faith communities and leaders across the country to reject the nativist, xenophobic attack on the rights and dignity of millions of people. We are prepared to do so again, working firmly to defend multi-faith democracy and equal rights for the Muslim community and all communities targeted and impacted by this new ban.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Ben DePasquale, 717-779-4660, [email protected]

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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.

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