Don’t Be Fooled, a Muslim Ban has been Reinstated: Here are a Few Places you Can Help Out

The United States Supreme Court recently reinstated parts of President Donald Trump’s travel ban. The Court ruled that those who did not have a “bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States” cannot enter the country. This means that a person from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen they must have a family member in the United States to be hired in the U.S. or attend a U.S. university.

According to the ACLU, even having a son-in-law can count as a bonafide relationship. The problem, however, is that most people who are trying to find a new life in the U.S. do not have a personal relationship with a citizen here.The ban is classist because most people seeking refuge do not have the means or connections to be able to afford an education in the U.S., or to find a job. Often families are making the trek for the first time, becoming the sole members of their families in the U.S.

These restrictions are a reinstating of the essential elements of the original.

In January, many were up in arms protesting at airports that the ban was unconstitutional, lawyers were helping those who were stuck in airports, and there was outrage at the idea that the U.S. was closing it’s borders to people who need it the most. Where is that outrage now?

The fight for both treating immigrants like people and not pests, as well as the fight against abusive executive power, is not over. A few ways that people can step up for those who will still be stuck across the Atlantic include aiding organizations that help immigrants and refugees build up their resources–so they can resettle in the U.S. The are also organizations that help teach others about acceptance and breaking narratives that are discriminatory towards Muslims. These organizations accept volunteers and donations.

Some of these organizations are:

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is one of the largest civil rights and advocacy organizations dedicated to fighting against discrimination against Muslims.

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a religious organization that advocates for civil rights, secular government, and LGBTQI inclusion.

Muslim Advocates is a legal advocacy organization that helps people learn about their rights and regularly takes on lawsuits challenging anti-Muslim discrimination and hate crimes in the United States.

Another way people can help is by protesting and being politically active in educating others that a ban in still in place.