Press Release
Published on March 16, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Veterans for American Ideals today applauded last night’s ruling by Judge Derrick K. Watson that preserves the United States’ relationship with key Muslim-majority ally countries and aids in the fight against ISIS by imposing a nationwide block on implementation of President Trump’s executive order suspending the refugee resettlement program, lowering refugee admissions to 50,000, and banning the issuance of new visas and entry to the United States to nationals of six Muslim-majority countries.
“This ruling is a signal that America is staying true to its values,” said Scott Cooper, founder of Veterans for American Ideals. “The president’s executive order would undermine our moral leadership, making us less safe. America needed to send a signal to our allies that this is a country based on the rule of law, this ruling did just that.”
Judge Watson’s ruling in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii applies to the reduction in refugee admission, which would have decreased from 110,000 to 50,000. The temporary restraining order for now prevents irreparable harm to immigrant and refugee communities.
Veterans for American Ideals calls on the Trump Administration to withdraw this discriminatory order, and refrain from attempting to block or limit resettlement or entry of Muslims or otherwise discriminate based on religion or nationality.
“Our national security and national values are not mutually exclusive. We can be safe while we holding true to what we believe in,” added Cooper.
For more information or to speak with Cooper, contact Christopher Plummer at PlummerC@humanrightsfirst.org or 202-370-3310.
