STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TRAVEL BAN

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TRAVEL BAN
“I am profoundly appalled and disgusted, but not surprised, by today’s Supreme Court 5-4 ruling to uphold the Trump administration’s restriction on travel to the United States from 7 countries, including 5 majority Muslim countries. I unequivocally condemn and denounce this hateful immigration policy as it will limit the granting of visas to travelers from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

While there is no question that our national security is of great importance, we cannot mask this racist policy as an attempt to better secure our borders. It was carefully designed to blatantly discriminate against people of certain religions and nationalities, which goes against the principles and values embedded in our Constitution. We are closing our doors to individuals who not only want to see and experience our country, but more importantly, to those escaping extreme physical and economic strife.

Echoing the ACLU, the Supreme Court is once again allowing official racism and xenophobia to seep through and become the law of the land, instead of standing up against it. Let’s not forget that in 1944, the Supreme Court allowed the federal government to imprison Japanese Americans solely because of their national origin and ethnicity, based on empty claims of national security. It still stands as one of our country’s most shameful chapters. History will judge us harshly and deservingly so.

I remain committed to resisting this administration’s efforts to discriminate against people, whether it be based on their nationality, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. #NoTravelBanEVER.”

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