Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline released the following statement in advance of President Donald Trump’s announcement of a draconian executive order on refugees and immigration. The order, which has circulated in draft form, would temporarily halt the admission of refugees, ban Syrian refugees for the foreseeable future and block visas for many Muslim-majority nations. The order is expected to exempt religious minorities like Christians as well as U.S. allies in the region.
“President Trump’s forthcoming executive order banning refugees and Muslims would be deeply troubling on a regular day, but he is adding insult to injury by signing it on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This is a day where we honor the victims of the Nazis and reflect upon the actions of the United States during the Holocaust. Tens of thousands of Jewish refugees were refused entry to the United States – including the passengers of the St. Louis – due to fear, suspicion and bigotry. Trapped in Nazi Europe, they faced a grim fate.
“For decades, the United States has prided itself as a safe bastion for refugees around the globe escaping war and persecution. President Trump is poised to trample upon that great legacy with a de facto Muslim ban.
“Let’s be clear. This executive order is all about bigotry and scoring political points. Discriminating against millions of people on the basis of their religion does nothing to make Americans safer, and it serves the interests of enemies like ISIS who claim that America is at war with Islam.
“President Trump’s executive order harks back to dark chapters in our history and must be resisted by Americans of all backgrounds. We call on the President to reverse course immediately and embrace what really makes America great – our freedom and diversity.”
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.