As you are aware, on September 24, 2017, the Trump administration issued
sweeping new travel restrictions, prohibiting nearly all travel for foreign nationals of Iran (and several other countries). The language of the new proclamation (Travel Ban 3.0) can be found here. You can also find IABA's summary of the key parts of the new travel ban here.
Given the new proclamation, the U.S. Supreme Court has taken off calendar the scheduled oral arguments in the
Hawaii
and
IRAP
cases,
the two prior challenges to the Travel Ban 2.0,
and requested supplemental briefing on whether
parts of the issue are now moot. More legal challenges to the new Travel Ban 3.0 will undoubtedly follow.
Substantively, Travel Ban 3.0 continues to target primarily nationals of Muslim-majority countries. While the new proclamation includes two non-Muslim-majority countries (North Korea and Venezuela), these additions appear to be nominal at best, and make up only a tiny fraction of those subject to the travel ban.
Based on available information, the vast majority of the individuals affected by Travel Ban 3.0 remain nationals of Muslim-majority countries; and nationals of Iran, alone, constitute over 60% of the total people affected. That is exactly why Iranian Americans must be on the front lines of this battle -- and why we, as a community, we must inform ourselves, organize, and act.
Here are a few simple things can do to help now:
2. Please sign our joint petition to the U.S. Congress, requesting that it "Rescind the Muslim Ban Immediately." This petition has been prepared by a coalition of highly respected legal and advocacy groups, including Iranian American organizations. We need your help to spread word of this petition, and to gather as many signatures as possible, to show broad support for abolishing any travel ban based on national origin or religion;
3.
Share this statement, as well as the above form and petition, with your friends, families, and professional networks; and
4.
Donate to IABA so it can continue its efforts in protecting our rights (
click here
).
We will continue to update you as things change, and will also keep you informed of our ongoing efforts. Please stay tuned. And, more importantly, remain engaged.
Babak Yousefzadeh
IABA National President
