Congressman Sarbanes Releases Statement about President Trump’s Refugee Ban
Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes, a Democrat, released the following statement after President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning refugees from entry into the United States:
“President Trump’s executive order imposing entry restrictions on refugees and citizens from certain countries is unlawful and is already being challenged in the courts. The President is pitting himself against our laws, against an increasing public outcry over his unilateral actions and against the values that have made America a beacon of hope to the world. He will discover that this combined resistance cannot be easily ignored or dismissed.
“On October 3, 1965, on Liberty Island in New York harbor, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the law that will be invoked to strike down President Trump’s recent executive order. President Johnson observed, ‘Our beautiful America was built by a nation of strangers. … The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources – because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and peoples.’ Sixty years later, even as we face new and complex global challenges, this vision of America is one we cannot abandon.”
We applaud this statement condemning Trump. We are joining with those of who supported you for reelection in pledging support for all efforts you take to oppose the policies and actions of this Administration. We welcome your guidance on ways in which we and others can help.