FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | March 16, 2017
Last night, a federal judge in Hawaii issued a nationwide temporary restraining order on the revised Executive Order signed by President Trump on March 6, 2017. The Executive Order, which suspends the issuance of new visas from six majority-Muslim countries and delays refugee determinations, was scheduled to go into effect today. The Tahirih Justice Center, along with HIAS, Human Rights First, and KIND (Kids in Need of Defense), filed an amicus brief in the Hawaii case challenging the Executive Order. The law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP led the drafting.
Layli Miller-Muro, CEO of the Tahirih Justice Center, issued the following statement:
“We are relieved by the decision and its clear statement that discrimination on the basis of religion is not tolerated in the United States. The court’s strong language and deep understanding of the damage these Executive Orders do to American values, the protection of those fleeing persecution, and the unity of families sends an important signal.”
Archi Pyati, Tahirih’s Chief of Policy and Programs, noted the importance of the decision for survivors of gender-based violence: “This ruling will allow women and girls fleeing gender-based violence who are entitled to refugee status to access the protection they desperately need. In issuing the temporary restraining order, the court has recognized the harm that this Executive Order would have on those seeking safety in the United States. The decision also makes it clear that the Executive Order continues to discriminate based on religious affiliation in its revised form.”
To learn more about the Tahirih Justice Center’s response to the Executive Orders on immigration, please visit Tahirih’s Executive Orders resource page. Tahirih’s work to elevate the voices of immigrant women and girls has been featured recently by media outlets including BuzzFeed, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.
The Tahirih Justice Center is the only national, multi-city organization providing both policy advocacy and leadership and direct, on the ground legal services to immigrant and refugee women and girls fleeing violence. Tahirih will continue to monitor policy shifts that impact women and girls fleeing violence and advocate for the United States to honor its legal obligations to protect those fleeing human rights abuses.
Archi Pyati, Chief of Policy and Programs, or Layli Miller-Muro, Chief Executive Officer, are available for comment on this topic. Please contact [email protected] to arrange an interview.
