In the Name of God, the Indiscriminately Merciful, the Intimately Loving
Today, the Trump Administration has released a Presidential Proclamation announcing the expansion of the Muslim Ban to include the following countries: Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. The latest expansion bans most immigrants from Myanmar (Burma), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria. The expansion also excludes immigrants from Sudan and Tanzania seeking admission under the Diversity Lottery Program.¹ ²
We recognize that this act further institutionalizes and highlights the intersection of Islamophobia, anti-Blackness, and xenophobia that has defined the current Administration’s policies. We have witnessed a barrage of anti-immigrant policies that have directly impacted our Latino, Black, Muslim, and non-white brother and sisters globally. We stand in solidarity with all those who are impacted by the rampant xenophobia and offer our support and resources to challenge these policies. These restrictions have a tremendous impact on many students in our communities who have families in these countries, and who must deal with the mental, emotional and direct trauma as a result of these xenophobic policies. If any of our students or community members have questions related to immigration status and legal rights, please see our Rapid Response Database to access community resources who are able to answer your questions and provide legal, immigration, and mental health support.
It is no coincidence that this expansion of the Muslim Ban was announced within the week of the three-year anniversary of the original Muslim Ban Executive Order. Our faith calls on us: “O you, who believe, be upright for God, and (be) bearers of witness with justice!” (Quran 5:8). We unequivocally recognize and condemn the injustice that is happening, and just as we rallied and mobilized our community to stand against these white-supremacist policies three years ago, we do so again today as we call on students and members of our community to mobilize now and say #NoMuslimBanEver. We encourage MSAs and students across California to lead and participate in local actions and contact your Congress members to support the NO BAN Act, which will be voted on by Congress in the coming weeks.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at www.msawest.org/contact if there is anything else we can do to provide support at this time.
In solidarity,
MSA West
