Dear John,
We just left the first Congressional hearing on the Muslim Ban, where we took the next step to put an end to the Muslim ban and hold the Trump administration accountable for its bigoted policy. We are tremendously proud of all that the Iranian-American community and our allies have done to resist the ban.
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Dr. Abdollah Dehzangi, an Iranian green card holder, was able to testify as a witness and share the story of how the ban has kept him from his wife for nearly three years. NIAC Action is privileged to have played a part in recommending him and helping him prepare testimony for his monumental role as a witness.
In one of the hearing's more uplifting moments, the chair of the Immigration Subcommittee, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, encouraged Dr. Dehzangi and offered to help his wife's efforts to secure a visa. Sadly, Dr. Dehzangi's story is all too common and underscores how the Iranian-American community continues to bear the brunt of the ban.
Shamefully, Republicans closed ranks and defended both Trump and his ban. Reps. Lee Zeldin and Andy Biggs tried to normalize Trump’s ban by citing H.R. 158, which bars Iranian dual nationals from the Visa Waiver Program. NIAC campaigned to halt and overturn H.R. 158, warning that the bill stemmed from Trump’s xenophobia and could pave the way to further discrimination. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened.
Now we have an opportunity to press Congress for repeal. The NO BAN Act has secured the support of over 170 Members of Congress, and would end the current ban and guard against similar bans in the future. But there are many legislators who oppose the ban but have yet to cosponsor.
We need you to hold them accountable, so that we can keep up momentum and press for a vote out of the House of Representatives.
📌 Contact your legislator and tell them to support the NO BAN Act >> [[link removed]]
As always, we appreciate your solidarity and ongoing support in empowering NIAC to fight for you and our community on Capitol Hill.
Best,
Jamal Abdi
Executive Director, NIAC Action
Donate to Help #RepealtheBan [[link removed]]
PO Box 65439 | Washington, DC 20035
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