SAALT is a national South Asian racial justice and civil rights organization
The 4th Circuit upholds a nationwide injunction on President Trump’s “Muslim Ban 2.0” executive order on May 21, 2017.
The South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian racial justice and civil rights organization, applauded the ruling by the US Court of Appeals.
Superficial distinctions that were made to the President Trump’s original “Muslim Ban” policy were not enough to convince the 13 judges of the 4th Circuit.
The court stated that the evidence “creates a compelling case that [the President’s second travel ban’s] primary purpose is religious” and that the President’s anti-Muslim campaign rhetoric “provides direct, specific evidence” of “President Trump’s desire to exclude Muslims from the United States.”
“SAALT and our allies nationwide have called for a total and complete shutdown of the ‘Muslim Ban’ since day one, and today the Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit answered that call,” stated Suman Raghunathan, executive director of SAALT, in a news media statement.
“Through his divisive policies and rhetoric, the President and other irresponsible elected and appointed officials have amplified an appetite for discrimination and hostility we’ve seen borne out in surges in hate violence against our communities nationwide. Today’s ruling reaffirms our place in this country that we are not going anywhere, and no one, not even the President, can negotiate that truth away,” he added.
Raghunathan said that SAALT was concerned about how Trump’s policies would fan the flames of violence against the South Asian American communities nationwide.
From tragic shootings in Kansas and Washington State to ongoing arson attacks and vandalism of mosques, businesses, and homes across the country, South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu communities continue to experience a rising tide of hate and fear throughout the United States.
‘Power, Pain, Potential’, a report released by SAALT in January, documented over 200 incidents of hate crime, violence and xenophobic political rhetoric against South Asian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Arab, and Middle Eastern Americans during the 2016 election cycle.
According to the report, 95 percent of the incidents registered were stimulated by anti-Muslim instincts. President Trump was blameworthy for 21 percent of the xenophobic rhetoric tracked.
Though temporarily, the 4th Circuit’s judgment nullifies one of Trump administration’s openly discriminatory policies targeting the South Asian American communities.
According to the SAALT’s statement, the organization would continue to ensure that the communities enjoy equal rights, freedoms, and protections deserved.