TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ISSUES REVISED EXECUTIVE ORDER WITH BROAD EXEMPTION AUTHORITY

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Trump unveiled an updated Immigration Ban Executive Order temporarily restricting nationals from six Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, from traveling to the United States.

After the original Executive Order was suspended, the Trump Administration announced plans to revise the ban in an attempt to address legal challenges raised in federal courts. The release of the revised Executive Order was postponed until today and will go into effect on March 16th.

The revisions include:

•           Clarity that dual nationals and legal permanent residents (green card holders) are excluded             from the ban.
•           The removal of Iraq from the list of affected countries.
•           Those with validly issued visas will be exempt from the ban.
•           Broad categorical exemptions to be determined on a case-by-case basis such as for                       business, medical travel, or people with family connections.

PAAIA condemns this discriminatory action. We believe measures based solely on national origin are ineffective national security tools and anti-American.

The Iranian American community is invested in the social and economic fabric of our country, working in all sectors of American public life. We seek to protect the freedoms granted to all citizens of the United States. This ban unfairly discriminates against Iranian Americans, and has already disrupted family immigrant petitions as well as family visitation and emergency medical care for loved ones.

This measure is also counterproductive to United States’ policy interests in engaging the Iranian people and supporting their popular democratic aspirations. Iran is unique in the Middle East in that the majority of the Iranian population maintain a favorable disposition toward America and its values. Unfairly targeting the Iranian people undermines the solidarity between the peoples of both countries and serves the interests of hardliners in Tehran.

PAAIA remains vigilant in responding to measures that unfairly target our community. Along with several prominent Iranian American organizations, PAAIA filed a joint action lawsuit in federal court to stop the ban. We will work tirelessly with our coalition partners to ensure liberties and freedom are granted to all American citizens.

The Trump Administration needs to hear from you! Take action today. Write to tell the Administration to reconsider the immigration ban.