Wexton Votes to Outlaw Discriminatory Religious Travel Bans, Protect Due Process Rights at Ports of Entry

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to pass H.R. 1333, the NO BAN Act, and H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021. Together, this landmark legislation would prevent future presidents from issuing travel bans that discriminate based on religion, such as the previous Administration's Muslim Ban, while protecting certain due process protections for individuals detained while attempting to lawfully enter the country at ports of entry.

"With the passage of the NO BAN Act and Access to Counsel Act, we're taking action to stand against bigotry and bias and to guarantee those lawfully coming to the U.S. their due process," said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. "One of the things that makes our district great is the thriving immigrant communities who have come from all over the world to live, learn, and work here in Virginia. Policies like the now-defunct Muslim Ban ignore the many benefits of our diversity and instead stoke fear and xenophobia by targeting people simply because of their religion. These bills ensure that unconstitutional and un-American bans can never be put in place in the future and provide those seeking a new home here in America the ability to seek legal counsel while at one of our ports of entry."

In 2017, President Donald Trump abused executive authority by issuing three versions of his Muslim Ban, barring foreign nationals from several Muslim majority countries from entering the United States. In doing so, many Muslim American citizens and other individuals with legal status were detained indefinitely at ports of entry without the ability to consult with family or an attorney. This caused great hardship, confusion, and chaos for Muslims in the United States and around the world.

Though President Biden has rescinded the bans, these two bills are necessary to restore the separation of powers, prevent future executive overreach, and safeguard due process protections. The NO BAN Act strengthens immigration law by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on religion. The Access to Counsel Act ensures that those seeking to lawfully enter the country at ports of entry have the right to communicate with legal counsel, family members, and others who can assist with verifying the legal status of their travel.

Following the announcement of the Muslim Ban in January 2017, Wexton joined demonstrations at Dulles International Airport in Virginia's 10th District to protest the discriminatory policy.

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