Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1333, the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act and H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021, sending the legislation to the House floor. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bills next week. 

“I am proud the Judiciary Committee passed the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act, legislation that prevents future Muslim bans and protects due process,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). “Immediately after the Muslim Ban was issued by former President Trump, I went to JFK Airport to assist individuals who would only learn that they were subject to the ban when they landed on U.S. soil. The situation I encountered was chaotic and heartbreaking. I am grateful that President Biden acted on day one to rescind this ban, and with our action today, we are making clear that no President has the authority to reinstate this heinous policy.”

“While President Biden rightfully rescinded the former President’s attempt to recklessly rewrite our immigration laws on Day One of his presidency, Congress should still take actions to prevent similar violations from ever happening again and to protect due process,” said Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “Today, the House Judiciary Committee asserted that no President—Democratic or Republican—should be able to usurp congressional authority, and that no one should be denied justice in America.”

“I am proud that the Judiciary Committee has passed my Access to Counsel Act as we urgently reverse course after four cruel years in which a xenophobic Trump Administration stripped basic civil rights and civil liberties away from individuals solely because of the color of their skin, their religion, the language they speak, or their country of origin,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). "I look forward to continuing our work to pass the Access to Counsel Act in Congress and ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status have the right to call a lawyer, consult with an attorney, and receive assistance if they are ever detained by Customs and Border Protection."

Background:
 
H.R. 1333, the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, introduced by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) in response to former President Trump’s Muslim Ban, amends Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to place checks and balances on the President’s authority to temporarily suspend or restrict the entry of aliens or classes of aliens into the United States. It also prohibits discrimination based on religion and extends the prohibition on discrimination beyond the issuance of immigrant visas to include the issuance of nonimmigrant visas, entry and admission into the United States, and the approval or revocation of any immigration benefit. 

H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021, introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) in response to former President Trump’s Muslim ban, ensures that people with valid travel documents who present themselves at the border, airports, or other points of entry can communicate with counsel and other interested parties if they are subjected to prolonged inspection by CBP. It also allows counsel or an interested party the ability to advocate on behalf of the individual.