Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, a state-wide interfaith education and advocacy organization, is dismayed and distressed at the Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold President Trump’s ban on travel from predominantly Muslim countries.
President Trump has consistently stated that his intent was to keep Muslims out of the United States. The Supreme Court abdicated its responsibility as the court of last resort when it decided to ignore these statements. The Court, in today’s decision, stated that the president’s own words about the intent of this ban were immaterial and that the ban itself was ‘neutral on its face’. Yet intent has always been taken into account when deciding the constitutionality of a law.
Further, the Court accepted at face value the Trump Administration’s contention that national security was at risk. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent from the bench, rightly countered that the excuse of national security merely was a cover for an “openly discriminatory policy motivated by animus” to a religious minority.
As people of many different faiths, many of whom have ourselves faced discriminatory immigration policies throughout history, we decry this decision and proclaim solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We will continue to work for understanding and to build bridges among our various faith communities and to work against the forces of discrimination and hate.
President Trump has consistently stated that his intent was to keep Muslims out of the United States. The Supreme Court abdicated its responsibility as the court of last resort when it decided to ignore these statements. The Court, in today’s decision, stated that the president’s own words about the intent of this ban were immaterial and that the ban itself was ‘neutral on its face’. Yet intent has always been taken into account when deciding the constitutionality of a law.
Further, the Court accepted at face value the Trump Administration’s contention that national security was at risk. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent from the bench, rightly countered that the excuse of national security merely was a cover for an “openly discriminatory policy motivated by animus” to a religious minority.
As people of many different faiths, many of whom have ourselves faced discriminatory immigration policies throughout history, we decry this decision and proclaim solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We will continue to work for understanding and to build bridges among our various faith communities and to work against the forces of discrimination and hate.
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