Today, following Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning entry from 7 Muslim-majority countries, Democratic Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), and Brad Schneider (D-IL) demanded that the Administration comply with the federal court orders staying the EO and vowed to fight to overturn it. 

“President Trump’s unconstitutional and unconscionable Executive Order to shut out people from several Muslim nations is ill-conceived, discriminatory, and counter-productive.  It has already led to chaos at our nation’s airports, to condemnation abroad, and has struck fear among immigrant communities throughout the country.  As Members of Congress representing diverse populations around the nation, we each visited an airport, participated in demonstrations, and attended community meetings this weekend to demand justice, to provide comfort to our constituents, and to work with government agents and officials to set free those who have been unlawfully and unfairly detained.

“Thanks to the hard work of many dedicated lawyers and advocacy organizations, several federal judges have issued important rulings to protect individuals who arrive at our shores, but compliance with these Orders has been haphazard, at best.  We have heard reports of, and in some cases seen first-hand, attempts to deport detainees, and continued detentions of lawful permanent residents.  We are also concerned that some individuals have been denied access to their attorneys, and we have even heard rumors of individuals being asked to sign documents waiving their own rights.  Although many of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials we interacted with tried to be helpful and professional, it was clear that they had received very little guidance, and that the Executive Order itself is confusing and poorly drafted.  We call on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately provide clear guidance to CBP agents that strictly follows the judges’ rulings.  
 
“We are moved by the outpouring of support from the thousands of people who joined us at airports and demonstrations, and by the millions more who share our outrage at the President’s hateful and divisive actions.  The United States has always been, and must continue to be, a place of refuge that welcomes people of all religions and nationalities.  We will continue to fight this Executive Order, and to preserve this nation’s fundamental values and ideals.”

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