(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 2/16/19) – The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), the local office of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned President Trump’s announcement that he will declare a national emergency to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border as an “abuse of executive authority.”
Yesterday, Trump announced that he will sign legislation to prevent a government shutdown while at the same time declaring a national emergency to build the border wall.
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Urge Congress to Speak Out Against Trump’s Declaration of a National Emergency
In response to the emergency declaration, the National Office of CAIR issued the following statement:
“CAIR condemns President Trump’s declaration today that he will claim emergency powers to construct a border wall that is primarily motivated by an anti-immigrant ideology designed to ‘make America white again.’ Such a declaration is an abuse of executive authority and will invite legitimate constitutional and congressional challenges.
“Refugee asylum seekers, unaccompanied children or undocumented immigrants seeking work or to reunite with their families do not constitute a ‘national emergency.’”
Last summer, CAIR-Philadelphia worked with its interfaith and social action partners organized the “Families Belong Together Protest” in Center City Philadelphia.
SEE: Thousands in Philadelphia Protest ICE and Trump
In November, CAIR condemned the now court blocked Trump administration rules that would have denied asylum to virtually any migrant arriving at the border and that are based on the same controversial legal justification used for Trump’s “Muslim Ban.”
SEE: CAIR Condemns Trump’s New Use of ‘Muslim Ban’ Justification to Deny Asylum Rights
CAIR has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.
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CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 267-515-6710, jbender@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Staff Attorney Timothy Welbeck, 267-515-6710, twelbeck@cair.com.
