CAIR, Brennan Center for Justice Win New Federal Injunction Against President Trump's Third Muslim Ban

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by a second federal judge ? this time in Maryland ? to block the Trump administration from implementing Muslim Ban 3.0, the latest version of the president's travel ban.

CAIR and the Brennan Center for Justice filed suit against President Trump's Muslim Ban on behalf of six American Muslims impacted by the immigration restrictions. Civil rights attorneys, including CAIR National attorney Gadeir Abbas, delivered oral arguments against the ban earlier this week.

Video: CAIR, Other Civil Rights Groups Hold Presser After Md. Court Arguments on Trump's Muslim Ban
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ahy9jtJK5Q

In a broad ruling today, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang granted CAIR and other groups' request for a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing its latest attempt to exclude Muslims from the United States. 

Judge Chuang ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to ultimately succeed in proving that anti-Muslim animus motivated the travel ban in violation of the Establishment Clause. He also noted that the ban violates federal law, which forbids the government from discriminating against visa applicants based on their nationality.

"This case is not a close call," said CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri. "It is clear that Muslim Ban 3.0 illegally stigmatizes Muslims and disfavors Islam. We are hopeful that the appeals courts will see it the same way."

"Judge Chuang's decision is a good reminder that religious liberty is protected by the law and the Constitution, and that not even the president can take it away," said CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, who delivered oral arguments in the case before Judge Chuang.

SEE: Second Judge Rules Against Latest Travel Ban, Saying Trump's Own Words Show It Was Aimed at Muslims

Yesterday, CAIR welcomed a decision by another federal judge in Hawaii to block the Trump administration from implementing the ban. The judge's decision only blocks the ban for 14 days.

SEE: CAIR Welcomes Federal Judge's Decision to Block Trump's 'Muslim Ban 3.0'
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14716-cair-welcomes-federal-judge-s-decision-to-block-trump-s-muslim-ban-3-0.html

Today, CAIR will join a coalition of national and local American Muslim and civil rights organizations at the #NoMuslimBanEver rally and march outside the White House in Washington, D.C.

In September, CAIR -- with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and Profeta & Eisenstein -- filed an amicus brief with U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of seven American Muslims.

READ Amicus Brief

These groups also filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit in August.

Read CAIR's Amicus Brief

In January, just days after Trump signed the first Muslim ban executive order, CAIR filed suit. 

SEE: CAIR Files Federal Suit Challenging Constitutionality of Trump's 'Muslim Ban' Executive Order

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.     

CONTACT: CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, [email protected]; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)