WASHINGTON— Today the House of Representatives voted on two immigration amendments introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) respectively. Rep. Chu’s amendment is a version of the NO BAN Act that would end President Trump’s discriminatory Muslim ban that targeted immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries and banned their entry into the United States.

“No matter how hard the Administration tries to explain it, Trump’s travel ban is a Muslim ban, plain and simple,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva. “It discriminates based on religion and has separated countless families from their loved ones and restricted access to education opportunities and lifesaving medical care for those caught in the crosshairs. A policy like this should have never been on the books, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in ending a policy so laden with racism.”

Rep. Jayapal’s amendment is based on the Access to Counsel Act and would provide the right to access legal counsel for those held in a secondary inspection at a port of entry on the border—for both American citizens and immigrants.

“Time and time again, we’ve seen due process rights quickly violated at our ports of entry for both citizens and noncitizens alike in the name of ‘security,’” continued Rep. Grijalva. “The House reaffirmed today that access to counsel is a right, and this legislation ensures that anyone facing prolonged detention at our border has the right to communicate with their legal counsel.”

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