MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR-Chicago Condemns Expanded Travel Ban

(CHICAGO, IL 9/25/17) -- The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today condemns the expanded travel ban, and encourages any at-risk travelers to register with CAIR-Chicago's Travelers Assistance Project (TAP).

Chad, which is a Muslim-majority country, along with Venezuela and North Korea will be joining 5 other Muslim-majority countries facing illegal travel restrictions.

"This draconian order is rooted in deep anti-immigrant, xenophobic, and anti-Muslim bigotry." Says Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago. "To think that arbitrary blanket bans of people entering this country -- many of whom are escaping violence created indirectly by the United States -- can somehow be relevant to Americans' safety is delusional and greatly mistaken. This ban, along with the first and second Muslim bans, is wrong, unacceptable, and will not go unchallenged. We will only fight harder for the rights of our community and our allies."

CAIR-Chicago's Travelers Assistance Project (www.tapus.org), which has continued to support at-risk travelers with pro-bono legal and interpretation assistance since the first Muslim Ban was signed in January, is committed to supporting anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, who is being unjustly discriminated against while flying. CAIR-Chicago encourages at-risk travelers flying into O'Hare International Airport--especially those from the 8 banned countries--to register their travels in advance with TAP so a lawyer can track incoming flights and provide legal assistance if and when needed.