Evan McMuslim Ban

Arthur,

The president’s “Muslim Ban” was an affront to our American values. That’s why it sparked widespread outrage and numerous court battles, going all the way to the Supreme Court. Today, they made their decision.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court determined that the president could rewrite the current immigration laws to be more discriminatory. We respect the court’s decision and recognize that it was reached fully in accordance with our constitutional processes. But we also remain concerned. The president and his advisors are already boasting of their victory and imagining what they might do next. It reinforces how important our continued fight is.

In case you hadn’t heard, we joined with several other scholars, writers, and advocates to file an amicus brief opposing the president’s capricious Muslim Ban. We stand by our arguments and continue to believe that even if the president’s orders are ruled technically legal by the court, they are still immoral and antithetical to our principles. Justice Kennedy seemed to agree in his concurrence with the opinion, writing “the very fact that an official may have…discretion free from judicial scrutiny, makes it all the more imperative for him or her to adhere to the Constitution and to its meaning and its promise.” The president is not willing to adhere to the promise of America, so we must demand it.

Arthur, we fought hard to make sure your voice was heard all the way at the Supreme Court. We didn’t win this time, but your contribution of just $5, $10, or $50 will help power us through the next fight.

Our amicus brief sought to speak to the justices who might not be persuaded by the arguments others were making. We didn’t argue that the president doesn’t have the power to make national security decisions, which is what the concurring justices said. Rather, we argued that the president could not rewrite immigration policies to be so discriminatory. We still believe that his blanket ban violates the non-discrimination clauses and exceeds his executive authority.

This is just one of what will certainly be many efforts by the president to drive our laws and policies to a system of division, exclusion, and discrimination. If we as a people accept the president’s assaults on our ideals, we will embolden him to push further. That’s why we will not stop fighting. We will fight in the courts, we will fight on Capitol Hill and we will fight at the ballot box. From state houses to the White House, we must demand that our leaders uphold our values, and wield their power consistent with our ideals. The president’s Muslim Ban failed those basic standards.
We’re honored to stand up, side by side with you, in these crucial times. Now, more than ever, America needs its people to stand tall in defense of our time-honored principles and ideals. Together we will mount the next defense and ensure that our country remains committed to the constitution and our principles.
Evan & Mindy