PAAIA Praises Reintroduction of NO BAN Act and Calls for Swift Congressional Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Emily Porter
Email: emily@paaia.org
Phone: (202) 828-8370
Washington, DC – Today, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization serving the interests of the Iranian American community, praised the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act in the 117th Congress by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) following President Biden’s Executive Order to reverse the Travel Ban. The NO BAN Act will safeguard against future abuses of presidential powers and ensure that exclusion of entry into the United States is maintained for those who pose a real threat.
In response to the NO BAN Act’s reintroduction, Leila Austin, executive director of PAAIA, issued the following statement:
“PAAIA commends Representative Chu and her congressional colleagues for prioritizing reintroduction of the NO BAN Act. This legislation offers closure to so many vulnerable communities that were negatively impacted by the Travel Ban. The day-one action taken by President Biden to rescind the Travel Ban and today’s reintroduction of the NO BAN Act reflect years of advocacy by PAAIA and our partners to put an end to the suffering endured by our community and stop unjust policies from harming future generations. For Iranian Americans, the NO BAN Act provides reassurance that no president can ever again abuse their power to enact such a discriminatory policy as the Travel Ban. I urge Congress to move swiftly to enact the NO BAN Act to ensure that this unthinkable chapter of American history remains behind us.”
Introduced in the 116th Congress and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 233– 183, the NO BAN Act creates accountability mechanisms and safeguards for any administration to undergo before enacting discriminatory policies like the Travel Ban. PAAIA, having worked on the legislation in the 116th Congress, continues to work with the ACLU and other coalition partners on the NO BAN Act, engaging members of Congress to ensure the legislation receives the support it needs to become law.
For more information about PAAIA’s efforts against the Travel Ban and for details on what comes next after the Travel Ban, visit PAAIA’s website at www.paaia.org/travel-ban.
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