Women Watch Afrika is tremendously disappointed that the United States Supreme Court has decided to re-instate portions of the discriminatory travel ban. The nation is going through one of the worst refugee crisis in history, along with high tensions and critical racial divide dealing with the actions of the police against people of color; as such, this is not the time to continue to increase such divides. We are stronger together and America is (and should be) more than hate, xenophobia, and discrimination.
The Supreme Court of the United States made the decision to hear the federal government’s case on the highly criticized travel ban. Consequently, the case will be heard in October. However, most disturbingly, the Supreme Court also decided to lift the lower courts’ decisions halting the travel ban during the interim of now and when the case will be heard. This is unfortunate and a severe set back for the immigrant community–and the whole nation at large–as it means significant portions of the original and revised discriminatory travel ban are back in effect.
The Court is allowing the travel ban to go into effect as followed:
- The 90-day arrival ban from 6-targeted countries (Iran, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Syria) is back in effect
- The 120-day halt in refugee arrivals is back in effect.
- A review of the vetting procedures for refugee arrivals with a 50,000 cap on arrivals is back under consideration (though there is an exception for individuals with a “bona fide relationship” with a person or entity in the United States–meaning people with family or that are students or invited lecturers). Note: the “family” relationship connection excludes the following: grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, fiancés/fiancees, and any other “extended family members.”
- “Foreign nationals who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States” are immediately opened to discrimination by the travel ban
This is not the direction the nation needs to be going. As we wait to see the result of the case, we will continue to strive to be a voice for all affected individuals. Hate must not win.
Author: Preye Cobham, Esq.