澳彩开奖 joins amicus brief supporting stay of Trump鈥檚 Muslim ban
President Trump鈥檚 recent executive order temporarily barring immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries is effectively a Muslim ban that violates the First Amendment, according to an amicus brief filed today by the 澳彩开奖 and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The supports a federal judge鈥檚 temporary restraining order that blocked implementation of the ban Friday. It was filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is hearing the government鈥檚 request to reinstate Trump鈥檚 order.
鈥淭he executive order singling out and punishing Muslims is not only contrary to this nation鈥檚 founding principles, it violates the U.S. Constitution, which forbids discrimination on the basis of religion,鈥� said Naomi Tsu, deputy legal director of the 澳彩开奖.
鈥淲e urge the federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to reject the government鈥檚 attempt to enforce this unconstitutional order.鈥�
The brief argues that the executive order 鈥渋s unsupported by fact and is instead motivated by religious animus.鈥�
It notes that the government is required to treat people equally, no matter what religion, if any, they follow. 鈥淚gnoring this clear constitutional command, the government has singled out one religious group 鈥� Muslims 鈥� for official disfavor and maltreatment,鈥� the filing states. 鈥淏y instituting a wide-ranging, punishing ban on Muslim immigrants, the government runs roughshod over core First Amendment protections.鈥�
The brief also notes: 鈥淭he Executive Order is what President Trump promised all along: a 鈥楳uslim ban.鈥� No amount of rebranding can change that. People are excluded, detained, and deported for no reason other than their deity and preferred holy book. The Executive Order is an insult to the fundamental principles of religious freedom enshrined in our Constitution. It cannot stand 鈥� even for a day.鈥�
