The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy and civil rights organization, today condemned a Trump administration proposal that would sharply restrict new green cards or visas for those using public aid and called on Congress to block the implementation of such a “cruel and counterproductive policy.”
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials announced the proposal on Saturday. It would take effect after a 60-day public comment period.
SEE: Immigrant Advocates Vow to Fight Trump Plan to Clamp Restrictions on Green Card Applicants
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Trump’s cruel and counterproductive policy proposal is just another component of a multifaceted effort by a white supremacist and xenophobic administration to prevent the ‘browning’ of America.
“Whether it is the Muslim Ban, the border wall, family separations at the border, or a historically-low refugee cap, this administration is using every means at its disposal to block the entry of those who — like Donald Trump’s own ancestors — seek a better life in our nation.
“We call on Congress to recognize the fact that immigrants are a benefit to America and to block this very un-American proposal.”
Awad noted that last year, CAIR called on voters to urge their members of Congress to not support the Trump administration-endorsed RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act), which would slash legal immigration in half from one million to 500,000 new green card holders and favors English speakers.
CAIR Action Alert: Urge Congress to Oppose Bill Slashing Legal Immigration, Favoring English Speakers
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2018 Civil Rights Report, “Targeted,” which showed a 17 percent increase in bias-motivated incidents against American Muslims from 2016 to 2017, and a 15 percent increase in the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes in that same time period.
SEE: 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to CAIR-SFBA’s Legal Services Department.