Issued February 09, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – SEIU International Executive Vice President and iAmerica Action President Rocio Sáenz released the following statement after The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled against reinstating President Trump’s immigration ban, which targeted immigrants who are Muslim:
“Today’s decision means that families will be reunited, people fleeing for their lives will not be turned away, and it serves as reminder that all people, regardless of immigration status or religion will be protected under the due process guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
“I’m so proud that the SEIU filed an amicus curiae brief supporting the State of Washington in this case against President Trump’s Executive Action.
“The 9th Circuit amicus brief described the profound adverse and discriminatory effects of the Executive Order that was wreaking havoc on the State of Washington and the nation as a whole—including SEIU members. Members like Dr. Kamal Fadlalla, a 33-year old Sudanese immigrant and second-year resident in internal medicine at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn and a member of CIR. When the Muslim ban went into effect, Dr. Fadlalla was visiting family in Sudan and prevented from returning to the U.S. for over a week, until the Seattle court’s order allowed him to return to the U.S. Last Sunday, Dr. Fadlalla finally arrived at JFK airport where he was greeted by colleagues, fellow union members, and elected officials, all eager for his return.
“Today’s win is just a step in the larger fight for immigrant, racial, and economic justice. SEIU members and our communities won’t let President Trump’s dangerous actions stop us from fighting for our values as Americans. We will use our collective power in the days and months ahead to prevent deportations, protect immigrants and refugees, and fight for a say in the economic and political system rigged against us by bad corporate actors and extremist politicians.”