The House passed legislation on Wednesday that would limit the executive from enacting future travel bans such as those imposed by the former President TrumpDonald Trump St. Louis attorney who pointed gun at Black Lives Matter protesters Chauvin is considering running through the Senate, found guilty as the nation exhales US, says negotiations on Iran are “positive.” against several Muslim-majority countries.
Lawmakers passed the bill along party lines, 218-208, with only one Republican joining Democrats in support.
The legislation, entitled the National Origin-Based Anti-Discrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, would explicitly prohibit religious discrimination in immigration-related decisions. Any immigration restrictions can only be enacted by the executive if there is a “compelling government interest”.
The State Department and the Department of Homeland Security should consult Congress and provide specific evidence to justify the immigration restriction and the proposed length of time before it is imposed.
“We have to make sure that no president can ever ban people from coming to the US simply because of their religion,” said Rep. Judy ChuJudy May ChuCongress can help Americans with disabilities by passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. Bipartisan lawmakers call for action against hate crime measures Biden clean electricity standard faces high hurdles MORE (D-Calif.), Author of the bill and president of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Republicans warned that the legislation would unnecessarily undermine the executive branch and called for action to address the current wave of migrants at the US-Mexico border.
“It is the President in whom all executive power rests, who must decide whether to suspend access and not just in consultation, with permission, with the State and Homeland Security,” said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).
The House also later passed legislation on Wednesday with a vote of 217-207 to ensure that citizens and other people of legal status detained at ports of entry in the US can consult a lawyer to understand their rights.
Trump, during his first week in office in 2017, signed an executive order restricting visas for several predominantly Muslim countries. The travel ban was revised repeatedly and eventually included five Muslim-majority countries – Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Somalia – as well as North Korea and Venezuela, before the Supreme Court upheld it in 2018.
The ban came after Trump called in 2015 during his presidential campaign for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can find out what’s going on.”
President BidenJoe BidenBiden dismissed Blinken, top officials in refugee cap initial decision: Suicide bombing report hits Afghan security forces Jim Jordan, Val Demings enters screaming match over police during hearing MORE Withdrawn the ban on his first day in office in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises.
“Make no mistake: where there are threats to our nation, we will address them. Where there are opportunities to strengthen information sharing with partners, we will pursue them. And when visa applicants apply for entry into the United States, we will pursue a rigorous, individualized control system. But we will not turn our backs on our values with discriminatory bans on entry into the United States, “Biden said in a proclamation reversing Trump’s actions.
Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila Jayapal Biden angers Democrats by holding Trump-era refugee hat Omar: ‘Shameful’ Biden forsakes refugee promise Biden rejects Democrats, keeps refugee numbers at 15,000 MORE (D-Wash.), The chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, first introduced the bill to ensure that people detained at ports of entry have access to counsel in response to Trump’s travel ban, issued on airports in the US created confusion as refugees and people. with visas were detained by customs and border guards.
“It takes us one step closer to upholding the principles of fair trial and fairness in our country,” said Jayapal.
But Republicans expressed concern that the measure would limit law enforcement’s ability to screen people flagged for additional investigation.
“This bill does nothing to improve our border security and also impedes their ability to carry out their mission,” said Representative Madison Cawthorn (RN.C.).