ACLU Strongly Condemns Anti-Palestinian Immigration Bill

WASHINGTON — Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced last week the Safeguarding Americans from Extremism Act, an extreme anti-Palestinian bill that would ban Palestinians from entering the U.S. The proposed legislation would also revoke visas, as well as refugee or asylum status granted to Palestinians on or after October 1, and follows various Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian immigration policy proposals from GOP lawmakers in recent weeks.

Naureen Shah, deputy director of government affairs, equality division, at the American Civil Liberties Union, had the following reaction:

“This is an attempt to vilify and dehumanize Palestinians through our immigration laws. While the bill has no chance of passing, politicians who stoke racism and hate contribute to harassment and the risk of violence against American Muslim and immigrant communities.

“We’ve already seen the devastating effects of Trump’s Muslim ban, a measure that embodied prejudice and bigotry, and separated Muslims in the United States from their family members abroad. Instead of misusing our political system to advance racist bills, our elected officials should support Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Palestinians already in the U.S. as violence continues in Gaza. We must not turn our backs on Palestinians seeking safety in the U.S.”